LED light control and management system

ABSTRACT

An LED light and communication system is in communication with a broadband over power line communications system. The LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver light fixture. The optical transceiver light fixture includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, at least one photodetector, and a processor. A facility management unit is in communication with the processor. The facility management unit is constructed and arranged to control the operation of the optical transceiver light fixture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No.61/778,672, filed Mar. 13, 2013, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

This application also claims priority to Provisional Application No.61/867,731, filed Aug. 20, 2013, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

This application also claims priority to Provisional Application No.61/927,638, filed Jan. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

This application also claims priority to Provisional Application No.61/927,663, filed Jan. 15, 2014, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention is generally directed tolight emitting diodes (LEDs) and applications thereof. In particular,some embodiments of the present invention are directed to using LEDs andpower line communication technology to provide internet access andcommunication capability to residential and commercial clientele.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light sources used for communication are extremely secure due to thefact that they are focused within a narrow beam, requiring placement ofequipment within the beam itself for interception. Also, because thevisible spectrum is not regulated by the FCC, light sources can be usedfor communications purposes without the need of a license. Light sourcesare also not susceptible to interference nor do they produce noise thatcan interfere with other devices.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be used as light sources for datatransmission, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,879,263 and 7,046,160,the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated herein byreference. LED technology provides a practical opportunity to combinelighting and communication. This combination of lighting andcommunication allows ubiquitous light sources such as street lights,home lighting, and office building lighting, for example, to beconverted to, or supplemented with, LED technology to provide forcommunications while simultaneously producing light for illuminationpurposes.

Regarding office buildings, building management is a complex sciencewhich incorporates and governs all facets of human, mechanical andstructural systems associated with buildings. As a result of thecomplexity, most commercial buildings are managed by commercial propertymanagement companies with great expertise. Both at the time ofconstruction and throughout the life-cycle of a building, theinterrelationships between people and the mechanical and structuralsystems are most desirably evaluated.

One very important area associated with building management is lightingor illumination. While often perceived as a simple task of providinglights, this seemingly simple task has much research and science behinda well-designed lighting system. This is because safety, productivityand general well-being of occupants depend heavily on proper lighting.

Many factors need to be considered at the time of construction orremodeling to facilitate proper lighting design. Intended usage of aspace is important in illumination design considerations, since thiswill dictate necessary illumination levels, times and duration of use,and anticipated cycling of the illumination. The use of appropriateswitches helps to reduce the energy required for a building to functionwith occupants, and simultaneously increases the life of manyillumination components, such as light sources (light bulbs andequivalents thereto) since the light sources are only requiredintermittently.

Nearly all public buildings rely on a great many lamps positionedthroughout the interior of the building, such as along hall corridorsand in each room, and also about the exterior. These lights havehistorically been activated manually.

Another very important consideration associated with building managementis energy management. The concern for energy management is driven by theexpense associated with energy consumed over the life of a building.Energy management is quite challenging to design into a building,because many human variables come into play within different areaswithin a building structure. Different occupants will have differentpreferences and habits. Some occupants may regularly forget to turn offlights when a space is no longer being occupied, thereby wastingelectricity and diminishing the useful life of the light bulbs. Inanother instance, one occupant may require full illumination for thatoccupant to operate efficiently or safely within a space, while a secondoccupant might only require a small amount or local area ofillumination. Further complicating the matter of energy management isthe fact that many commercial establishments may have rates based uponpeak usage. A business with a large number of lights that are controlledwith a common switch may have peak demands which are large relative ascompared to total consumption of power, simply due to the relativelylarge amount of power that will rush into the circuit. Breaking thecircuit into several switches may not adequately address inrush current,since a user may switch more than one switch at a time, such as bysliding a hand across several switches at once. Additionally, duringmomentary or short-term power outages, the start-up of electricaldevices by the power company is known to cause many problems, sometimesharming either customer equipment or power company devices. Control overinrush current is therefore very desirable, and not economically viablein the prior art.

Energy management also includes consideration for differences intemperature preferred by different occupants or for differentactivities. For exemplary purposes, an occupant of a first office spacewithin a building may prefer a temperature close to 68 degreesFahrenheit, while a different occupant in a second office space mayprefer a temperature close to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The first andsecond office spaces may even be the same office space, just atdifferent times of day. For exemplary purposes, an employee working in amail room from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. may be replaced by a different mailroom employee who works from 4 p.m. until 12 a.m. Heating, Ventilation,and Air Conditioning (HVAC) demand or need is dependent not only uponthe desired temperature for a particular occupant, but also upon thenumber of occupants within a relatively limited space

With careful facility design, considerable electrical and thermal energycan be saved. Proper management of electrical resources affects everyindustry, including both tenants and building owners. In many instancesfacility design has been limited to selection of very simple or basicswitches, and thermostats, and particular lights, all fixed at the timeof design, construction or installation.

Yet another very important area associated with building management isguidance control and indication, which impacts building security, aswell as building convenience and efficiency for occupants. In buildingshaving many alternative hallways or paths, such as are commonly found inhospitals and other large public facilities, directions are often clumsyand difficult for visitors or emergency personnel to follow.Old-fashioned directories may be hard to locate or decipher, especiallyfor speakers of a foreign language or for persons with little or notime, again such as emergency personnel. Consequently, some buildingsprovide color stripes along walls that serve as color coding to guidevisitors to various areas within the building. Unfortunately, the numberof color stripes that may be patterned is quite limited, and the expenseand defacing of appearance associated therewith is undesirable.Furthermore, such striping does not completely alleviate confusion, andthe color stripes can only serve as general guides to commonly visitedareas.

Modern communications systems interconnect various electrical,electro-mechanical, or electrically controlled apparatuses. Theseconnections may be referred to as connections between client devices andhost devices. For the purposes of the present disclosure, host devicesare simply parts of the network that serve to host or enablecommunications between various client devices. Generally speaking, hostdevices are apparatuses that are dedicated to providing or enablingcommunications. Peer-to-peer networks exist wherein, at any givenmoment, a device may be either client or host. In such a network, whenthe device is providing data, information or services, it may bereferred to as the host, and when the same device is requestinginformation, it may be referred to as the client.

The host may provide connection to a Local Area Network (LAN), sometimesreferred to as an Intranet, owing to the common use of such a networkentirely within an office space, building, or business. The host mayadditionally or alternatively provide connection to a Wide Area Network(WAN), commonly describing a network coupling between widely separatedphysical locations which are connected together through any suitableconnection, including for exemplary purposes but not solely limitedthereto such means as fiber optic links, T1 lines, Radio Frequency (RF)links including cellular telecommunications links, satelliteconnections, DSL connections, or even Internet connections. Generally,where more public means such as the Internet are used, secured accesswill commonly separate the WAN from general Internet traffic. The hostmay further provide access to the Internet. Exemplary host apparatusesinclude modems, routers, switches, or other devices that may enable orsecure communications with clients.

Client devices may commonly include computing devices of all sorts,ranging from hand-held devices such as Personal Digital Assistants(PDAs) to massive mainframe computers, and including Personal Computers(PCs). However, over time many more devices have been enabled forconnection to network hosts, including for exemplary purposes printers,network storage devices, cameras, other security and safety devices,appliances, HVAC systems, manufacturing machinery, and so forth.Essentially, any device which incorporates or can be made to incorporatesufficient electronic circuitry may be so linked as a client to a host.

Most current communications systems rely upon wires and/or radio wavesto link clients and hosts. Existing client devices are frequentlydesigned to connect to host network access points through wiredconnections, fiber optic connections, or as wireless connections, suchas wireless routers or wireless access points.

In the case of wireless routers a radio signal replaces the physicalcommunications channel between clients and hosts with a radio channel.This advantageously eliminates the wire tether between client and host.Instead, client devices in a wireless system try through variousbroadcasts and signal receptions to find an access point that will haveadequate transmission and reception, generally within a certain signalrange which may range from a few meters to as many as several tens ofmeters. Depending upon the communications channel, a variety of clientconnection devices are utilized such as PCMCIA or PC cards, serialports, parallel ports, SIMM cards, USB connectors, Ethernet cards orconnectors, firewire interfaces, Bluetooth compatible devices,infrared/IrDA devices, and other known or similar components. Thesecurity of these prior art wireless devices can be compromised in thatthey are vulnerable to unauthorized access or interception, and theinterception may be from a significant distance, extending often wellbeyond physical building and property boundaries.

More buildings are incorporating wireless networks where the networksare intended to reduce the need for wiring alterations and additionspracticed heretofore. However, these wireless networks are not containedwithin the walls of a building, and so they are subject to a number oflimitations. One of these is the lack of specific localization of asignal and device. For exemplary purposes, even a weak Radio-Frequency(RF) transceiver, in order to communicate reliably with all deviceswithin a room, will have a signal pattern that will undoubtedly crossinto adjacent rooms. If only one room or space in a building is to becovered, this signal overlap is without consequence. However, when manyrooms are to be covered by different transceivers, signal overlapbetween transceivers requires more complex communications systems,including incorporating techniques such as access control and deviceselection based upon identification. Since the radio signal isinvisible, detection of radiant pattern and signal strength aredifficult and require special instruments. Further, detection ofinterference is quite difficult. Finally, such systems are subject tooutside tapping and corruption, since containment of the signal ispractically impossible for most buildings.

In addition to data communications, buildings and other spaces may alsohave a number of additional important needs including, for exemplarypurposes though not limited thereto, illumination, fire and smokedetection, temperature control, and public address. With regard toillumination, buildings and other spaces are designed with a particularnumber and placement of particular types of light bulbs. Most designersincorporate incandescent or fluorescent bulbs to provide a desirableillumination within a space. The number and placement of these bulbs ismost commonly based upon the intended use of the space.

The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitutean admission that any patent, publication or other information referredto herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition,this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been madeor that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a)exists.

All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below. A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in thespecification is provided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R.§1.72.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A plurality of light supports or solitary light sources may beelectrically coupled in either a parallel or series manner to acontroller. The controller is also preferably in electricalcommunication with the power supply and the LED's, to regulate ormodulate the light intensity for the LED light sources. The individualLED's and/or arrays of LED's may be used for transmission ofcommunication packets formed of light signals.

The controller for the LED light support may generate and/or recognizepulsed light signals used to communicate information. The LED lightsystem may also include a receptor coupled to the controller, where thereceptor is constructed and arranged for receipt of pulsed LED lightsignals for conversion to digital information, and for transfer of thedigital information to the controller for analysis and interpretation.The controller may then issue a light signal or other communicationsignal to communicate the content of received information transmittedvia a pulsed LED light carrier.

According to the invention, there is provided an illumination apparatusthat is capable of illuminating a space and simultaneously capable ofcommunicating through visible light directly with a number of adjunctdevices. In addition to human communications, communications withadjunct devices may effect various convenience, security, energymanagement and related functions. The illumination apparatus furtherenables control over intensity, color temperature, and even colorwithout requiring any physical change of the illumination apparatus.

Visible Light Embedded Communication, or VLEC, as taught herein is asecure last mile solution to many diverse communications needs. Lastmile refers to the final portion of any communications system, and it iscommonly known that the last mile normally demands the vast majority ofexpense and difficulty in establishing and maintaining a system. LightEmitting Diodes, or LEDs, provide with other apparatus a communicationschannel while simultaneously affording flexible illumination within aspace or building. Using LEDs to provide visible lighting and to embedcommunications therein enables the present invention to improve securityand provide higher capacity as compared to lighting systems as known.The LED link is untethered and enables a communication link with nomadicdevices. The link is untethered in that the user is independent of anyone host, and may get the same information at other optical hosts.

In a Broadband Power Line BPL system, data is carried as a signalthrough existing mediums like fiber-optic cable, radio waves,conventional telephone lines, or through the present invention VisibleLight Embedded Communications (VLEC) around high-voltage lines. It isthen injected into the power grid downstream, onto medium or low voltagewires to businesses and homes. Through advanced electronic equipment,the signal makes its way to Industrial parks and neighborhoods.Customers may then gain access via a VLEC source and ferry the data backand forth to their computers through a Client VLEC Dongle, key, or otherappropriate adapter.

A VLEC system designed in accord with the teachings of the presentinvention may interface with new or existing building internalelectrical wiring. By positioning architectural lighting fixtures thatdual as VLEC and/or server optical transceiver (XCVR) transceivers, abuilding space may be efficiently illuminated while accomplishinghigh-speed secure wireless data communication. In some embodiments, aVLEC and an XCVR may be used interchangeably. The LEDs that areincorporated into VLEC transceivers are environmentally friendly andrelatively insensitive to atmospheric conditions. LEDs can be configuredas directional lights by providing or incorporating various lenses orreflectors, or may alternatively be configured as omni-directionallights for room lighting purposes. The room lighting colors of a VLECdevice may be made to mimic traditional lighting of today, includingintensity, color, and color temperature. A VLEC system has the addedbenefit of communicating by pulsing the LEDs in such a way as tocommunicate data at nearly the same rate or capacity, or faster rate orcapacity, as compared to modern fiber optic channels.

Embodiments designed in accord with the teachings of the presentinvention may fully integrate into existing networks and infrastructurespresently in use. Security and access levels may be controlled on theback end of the network by employing known equipment such as afirewalls, routers and hubs. Embodiments of the present invention aremeant to improve and compliment communication areas that fall short intoday's existing infrastructure, from full duplex communications ofvoice to ultra high speed broadband packet data transfers for fullmotion video, on highly reliable, scalable, stable and fully redundantinfrastructures. Most deployments are easily started by taking advantageof existing infrastructures and applying low cost fill-in or gapsolutions. Many modulations schemes available today, such as CDMA, OFDM,TDM, PWM, PPM, PDM, AM, BPSK and specific layers of QAM, to name a few,may be used in conjunction with the present invention. Access BPL andIn-house BPL capacity, including both governmentally licensed andunlicensed BPL/PLC apparatus and methods, may augment the presentinvention in a quest for a complete system design. Low-power, unlicensedBPL/PLC systems may be used to provide high speed digital communicationscapabilities by coupling RF energy onto the power lines inside abuilding. In addition, higher speeds than available from existing AccessBPL technology may be obtained in the preferred embodiments by encasingthe electrical wire in conduit, thereby implementing Shielded BPL(S-BPL) in accord with the present teachings. S-BPL as taught hereinprevents or further reduces unwanted Electro-Magnetic Interference orRadio Frequency Interference (EMI/RFI) and thereby may provide higherdata speeds for a variety of applications using VLEC embodiments.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention includes the use ofvisible light as the communications channel between client and host,which offers security, reliability, system testing and configuration,bandwidth, infrastructure, and mobility, among other things. Yet anotheradvantage of the present invention improves security, because light doesnot go through walls, in contrast to radio communications, and steps canbe taken to obstruct visible transmissions with a much greater certaintythan with high frequency radio waves.

In some embodiments, the invention enables individual or selected groupsof LED lights to be selectively configured for optimal physiological andpsychological effects and benefits for one or more applications. LEDsmay be readily reconfigured without changes to physical structures fordiverse applications having different requirements for optimalphysiological and/or psychological effects and benefits.

In some embodiments, the present invention has the capacity to providelow power communications for energy management, emergency back-up,security and special applications utilizing alternative power sourcessuch as batteries or solar cells.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention reduces peak inrushcurrent by controlling the timing of illumination and other equipmentstart-up.

In some embodiments, the present invention also has sufficientcommunications bandwidth to incorporate smart video integration. Thepresent invention also has the ability to provide embeddedcommunications through visible light, whether or not the visible lightis at an intensity great enough for sufficient duration to be detectedby the human eye.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be madeto the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and describedembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the Communication System.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an LED light source in any exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of theCommunication System.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of theCommunication System.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of theCommunication System.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System, depicting light sources in communication with abroadband over power line service.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System, depicting an energy management scheme.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System, depicting an energy management scheme.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System, depicting an energy management scheme.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial representation of an alternative embodiment ofthe LED Communication System, depicting an exemplary security screeningprocess.

FIG. 11 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of an S-BPLcommunications system including a plurality of hosts and clients inaccord with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates by hierachial chart an illustrative sample of thetypes of data communications to which the teachings of the presentinvention may be applied, either singly or in any combination.

FIG. 13 illustrates by hierarchal chart a single application of theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates by hierarchal chart a single application of theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates by hierarchal chart a single application of theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of a BPLcommunications system including a plurality of hosts arranged inparallel in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of a BPLcommunications system including a plurality of hosts arranged seriallyand incorporating optical to optical transmissions in accord with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of an S-BPLcommunications system including a plurality of hosts and further havingan emergency illumination and embedded communications mode and apparatusin accord with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of a VLECtransceiver in accord with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates by block diagram an embodiment of a data packet inaccord with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a waveform of a visible light emission from anactive and visually illuminated LED in accord with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a waveform of an invisible or barely perceptiblelight emission from an active and dark LED in accord with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a power supply usedwith the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific alternative embodiments of theinvention. This description is an exemplification of the principles ofthe invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments illustrated. For the purposes of this disclosure,like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like featuresunless otherwise indicated.

In each of the embodiments discussed below, the LEDs may be formed ofthe same or different colors. The controller may be configured to selectthe color of the LEDs to be illuminated forming the light signal.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment 110 of an LED light andcommunication system. FIG. 1 shows a server PC 112 connected via a USBcable 114 to a server optical transceiver (XCVR) 116, and a client PC118 connected via a USB cable 120 to a client optical transceiver 122.The server PC 112 is in communication with a network 123 via a CAT-5cable, for example. The server optical XCVR 116 and the client opticalXCVR 122 are substantially similar in at least one embodiment. Anexemplary optical XCVR (or, simply, “XCVR”) circuit includes one or moreLEDs 124 for transmission of light and one or more photodetectors 126for receiving transmitted light. LEDs and photodetectors are well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art and, as such, their specificoperation will not be described in detail. The term “photodetector”includes “photodiodes” and all other devices capable of converting lightinto current or voltage. The terms photodetector and photodiode are usedinterchangeably hereafter. The use of the term photodiode is notintended to restrict embodiments of the invention from using alternativephotodetectors that are not specifically mentioned herein.

In at least one embodiment, the XCVR circuit may include an RS232 to USBconversion module. The transmit pin on the USB conversion module drivesthe driver electronics for the LEDs. In some embodiments, the XCVRcircuit includes high intensity LEDs. In some embodiments it may bedesirable to use high intensity LEDs to enhance lighting, to improvedata transmission, or both. In at least one embodiment, a 12 volt DC, 3amp power supply is sufficient for powering an array of high intensityLEDs.

In some embodiments, the XCVR circuit further includes an amplifier foramplifying the optical signal received by the photodiode. The output ofthe amplifier may be fed into level shifting circuitry to raise thesignal to TTL levels, for example. The signal is then fed into thereceive pin of the RS232 to USB module.

In some embodiments, a 9V battery may be used to power the amplifiercircuitry. Significant noise is generated by switching high brightnessLEDs on and off at 200 mA and 500 kbps, for example. Powering theamplifier with a battery may reduce these noise problems by reducing orremoving transients.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, the LED can both emit andreceive light. In such an embodiment, the LED can act both as atransmitter or receiver. More information on such bi-directional LEDscan be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,072,587, the entire contents of whichare expressly incorporated herein by reference.

In at least one embodiment, the optical XCVRs, or circuitry attachedthereto, include modulation circuitry for modulating a carrier signalwith the optical signal. Modulation can be used to eliminate biasconditions caused by sunlight or other interfering light sources.Digital modulation can be accomplished by using phase-shift keying,amplitude-shift keying, frequency-shift keying, quadrature modulation,data compression, data decompression, up converting, down converting,coding, interleaving, pulse shaping or any other digital modulationcommunication and/or signal processing techniques known by those ofordinary skill. Similarly, such XCVRs can include demodulation circuitrythat extracts the data from the received signal. Modulation anddemodulation techniques for modulating light signals are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,732,310, 5,245,681, and 6,137,613, the entire contentsof each being expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Additional information regarding data communication can be found inInternational Publication Number WO 99/49435, the entire contents ofwhich are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the use of XCVRs as light sources can reduce energyconsumption and simplify communications by reducing the filtering ormodulation complexities necessary to distinguish data signals fromextraneous lighting sources.

In some embodiments, controlling of the relative power applied to eachone of the red, green, blue LEDs, enables different colors of light tobe produced. This concept is well-known as the RGB model, and is usedtoday in nearly all video displays. Color televisions and computermonitors, for example, incorporate very small red, green and blue (RGB)dots adjacent to each other. To produce white regions on the screen, allthree RGB dots are illuminated. Black dots are the result of none of theRGB dots being illuminated. Other colors are produced by illuminatingone or more of the dots at different relative levels, or alternativelycontrolling how many closely adjacent dots of one primary color arefully illuminated relatively to the other two primary colors.

Through the use of RGB LEDs, color temperature of an LED light panel orLED light fixture may be adjusted or controlled, and may be varied inreal time without making any hardware or apparatus changes. Instead,power applied to the RGB LEDs is adjusted to favor one or another of theRGB LEDs. Since the light emitted from the RGB LEDs is approximatelyfull-spectrum light, the color-rendering index may also be relativelyhigh, particularly when compared to mercury or sodium vapor lamps,making the light feel very natural.

A variety of physical and electrical configurations are contemplatedherein for LED light source 161. As illustrated in FIG. 2, light source161 may replace a standard fluorescent tube light fixture. This can beaccomplished by replacing the entire fixture, such that ballasts andother devices specific to fluorescent lighting are replaced. In manycases, this will be the preferred approach. The fixture may then bewired for any suitable or desired voltage, and where a voltage orcurrent different from standard line voltage is used, transformers orpower converters or power supplies may be provided. When a building iseither initially being constructed, or so thoroughly remodeled torequire replacement of wires, the voltage may be generated intransformers which may be located outside of the occupied space, such ason the roof, in a utility room, basement or attic.

In this case, line voltage, such as 120 VAC at 60 Hertz in the UnitedStates, may pass through the electrical connector pins. LED base 2050,in such case, may be designed to insert directly into a standardfluorescent socket, such as, for exemplary purposes only and not limitedthereto, the standard T8 and T12 sockets used in the United States. Insuch case, either RGB LEDs 2100-2140 are arranged and wired to directlyoperate from line voltage, or appropriate electronics will need to beprovided directly in LED base 2050 to provide necessary powerconversion. In yet another conceived alternative embodiment, powerconversion may be provided through switching-type or other powerconversion circuitry to alleviate the need for any rewiring, though inthese instances the power conversion circuitry will need to accommodatethe particular type of ballast already in place.

For LED light source 161 to replace an existing bulb, regardless oftype, and benefit from the many features enabled in the preferredembodiment, communications circuitry must also be provided. Thiscommunications circuitry is necessary to properly illuminate each of thered, green and blue LEDs to desired color, to transport data through aoptical communication channel.

In accord with at least one embodiment of the invention, LEDs are usedto transmit through an optical communication channel several kinds ofdata, including identity, location, audio and video information. The useof an optical communication link provides large available bandwidth,which in turn permits multiple feeds of personal communication betweenLED light sources and dongles or keys similar to or in excess of that ofcell phones. The optical data is transferred at rates far in excess ofthose detectable by the human eye, and so a person is not able to detectany visible changes as the data is being transferred. Additionally,because optical illumination is constrained by opaque objects such aswalls, the location of an access dongle or key and associated person canbe restricted to a particular room, hallway or other similar space.

In the past, prior art GPS systems and cell phone triangulationtechniques are typically only accurate to one or several hundred feet.Horizontally, this prior art precision is adequate for manyapplications. However, vertically several hundred feet could encompasstwenty floors in an office or apartment building. In some embodiments,an optical transceiver is capable of precision to a room or room lightfixture, for improved location identification than otherwise previouslyavailable.

It is anticipated that each transmission of a communication pulsed lightsignal will include a code representative of the originating XCVR.Optionally additional intermediate XCVRs may add a communication pulsedlight signal code.

In one embodiment, the computer may initiate an inquiry to locate theidentification code corresponding to an optical XCVR. In thisembodiment, the computer 22 would transmit a signal outwardly throughthe optically connected XCVRs to request identification of a particularXCVR identification code. In one embodiment the inquiry may be global,or may be limited to specific periods of time or other specificconditions such as location. In one embodiment each individual XCVR uponreceipt of the command inquiry may forward by pulsed light signals theidentification codes of all XCVRs within a particular location, becauseidentity codes are being continuously transmitted by each optical XCVR.

Since location may be relatively precisely discerned, opticaltransmitter or LEDs 2100-2140 may in one embodiment be configured tochange color, flash, or otherwise be visually changed or manipulated toassist with directional guidance, personnel or intruder identification,energy management, or to facilitate the meeting and connection ofindividuals. To achieve these objectives, a building needs to be wiredonly for lights, saving a huge infrastructure of other wires andfixtures.

Some embodiments of an LED XCVR light fixture may include any or all ofthe following devices: a microphone 172, a speaker 174, a rechargeablebattery 176, and a video camera or camera 178, as shown in thesimplified block diagram of FIG. 3. In at least one embodiment, themicrophone 172 is in communication with an analog-to-digital converter(ADC) (not shown) for converting the analog speech input to a digitalsignal. An amplifier circuit 180 can be used to boost the microphonesignal. The signal can be amplified prior to or after the ADC. In someembodiments, the speaker is communication with a digital-to-analogconverter (DAC) (not shown) for converting the received digital signalto an analog output. An amplifier circuit 182 can be used to boost thespeaker signal. The signal can be amplified prior to or after the DAC.The processor 184 shown in FIG. 3 converts the digital signals from themicrophone/amplifier to data packets that may be used for transmissionby the optical XCVR. Similarly, the processor converts the data packetsreceived by the optical XCVR to audio out signals directed to thespeaker. The processor can convert data packets received from ordirected to the video camera.

Furthermore, the optical XCVR may include non-volatile memory (FLASHRAM,EEPROM, and EPROM, for example) that may store firmware for the opticalXCVR, as well as text information, audio signals, video signals, contactinformation for other users, etc., as is common with current cellphones. In some alternative embodiments, a hard-drive may be usedinstead of these semiconductor-based memory devices.

The optical XCVR may include one or more photodetectors 126 forreceiving transmitted LED or other light signals, and one or more LEDs124 for transmitting LED signals, as shown in FIG. 3. In someembodiments, an optical signal amplifier 186 is in communication withthe photodetectors 126 to increase the signal strength of the receivedlight signals. In at least one embodiment, the LEDs are in operativecommunication with an LED power driver 188, ensuring a constant currentsource for the LEDs.

In some embodiments, an optical XCVR may include circuitry that performsmodulation, demodulation, data compression, data decompression, upconverting, down converting, coding, interleaving, pulse shaping, andother communication and signal processing techniques, as are known bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

In at least one embodiment, each and every optical XCVR is embedded witha unique code, similar in principle to the MAC address of a computer,for example. The optical XCVR broadcasts the unique code at regularintervals, at irregular intervals or with each transmitted data packetif desired. Optical XCVRs located within the user's building and nearthe user may then receive the unique code transmitted by another opticalXCVR or dongle or key device.

There are numerous applications of such a design. For example, in someembodiments, an optical XCVR may be engaged to a door lock. When a userwith an optical XCVR name tag approaches a locked door, the name tag maybroadcast the unique code, and an optical XCVR in communication with thedoor lock may receive the code, and if acceptable, unlock or open thedoor. A table of acceptable codes may be stored in a memory device thatis in communication with, and accessible by, the door's optical XCVR.Alternatively, the door's optical XCVR may transmit a code to a centralstation which compares the user's code against a table of approved codesand then sends a response either allowing or denying access.

Building management in accord with another embodiment of the inventionfurther includes automated secured access control to apparatus such asdoors, drawers, electronic computer operations, thermostats, and anyother devices that may be electronically controlled. By means of LEDcommunication, the location of unauthorized devices as well as personscan be tracked or polled by the system. Doors, either locked orunlocked, can be manipulated in response to the location or movement ofthese devices or persons.

As seen in FIG. 4, the electrical wiring in the hallways and/or roomsmay include Broadband Over Power Line (BOPL). As such, an optical XCVRname tag may be used to provide access to the Internet via the opticalXCVRs in the hallways and rooms. A person walking down the hallway mayreceive a phone call on their name tag from a person on the other sideof the world as long as the other person was using the Internet tocommunicate and knew the unique code of the optical XCVR name tag. Suchcommunication is possible because the Internet is based upontransmission of packetized data, a form ideally suited for use with anoptical XCVR.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified block schematic diagram of an electricalcircuit used to couple power and data to one or a plurality of LED lightsources 161. Power, which may be either AC or DC current is coupledthrough a power line bridge 150 with data from a network cable input,for example. The source of the data may include various computer outputssuch as control processor output or network connections such as commonlyfound on Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN) or throughthe Internet. In accord with one embodiment, the wiring between powerline bridge 150 and LED light source 161 is shielded by passing througha conduit or the like, defining a Shielded Broadband-over-Power-Line(S-BPL) connection that is both resistant to interfering communicationsand also produces almost no radiant energy.

In at least one embodiment, the optical XCVR name tag may be used inconjunction with the LED lighting in hallways, rooms, etc. to reduceenergy consumption, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, all the lights in ahallway may have a standby setting such that they are relatively dim oreven off. As a person with an optical XCVR name tag proceeds down ahallway, the lights in front of the person turn on in response to atransmitted signal (e.g. the unique code of the name tag).Alternatively, sensors may detect the presence of an individual. As theperson moves beyond a light, the light returns to its standby setting ofdim/off brightness. IN some embodiments, a signal may be communicated toan XCVR that the individual has passed, and is no longer present at thisparticular location. The presence of an individual proximate to an XCVRmay be determined by either recognition of a signal or through thefailure to continue to recognize a signal or by a proximity calculationas based on a controller receiving a signal from a remote location whichindicates recognition of an optical XCVR name tag. Alternatively,sensors may be used. A proximity may then calculated where initial orprevious XCVR light sources are extinguished as an individual passes aparticular location. In other embodiments, the lights can graduallybecome brighter, as a percentage of full brightness, as a personapproaches, and then gradually dim, as a percentage of full brightness,as a person moves away based on proximity calculation as earlierdescribed.

The lights shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, may have AC wiring with data carriers such as S-BPL, andstatic locations encoded into the system. Thus a person 190 entering ahallway 192 with an optical XCVR communications badge could use onlythose lights needed for his travel. As the person progresses toward adestination, the lights behind may be no longer needed and so may beprogrammed to turn off. These lights may function variably from 10 to100% as needed, for example. As shown in FIG. 5, the person 190 isapproximately adjacent to light 505 and traveling in the direction shownby arrow 15 towards light 506. From this position, person 190 mightprefer to be able to see into the branching corridor containing lights509-511. With appropriate central computer control and programming whichwill be readily understood and achieved by those skilled in the computerarts, the illumination of these neighboring lights may be increased, toprovide sufficient illumination to ensure the safety of person 190.Since different persons will have different desires regarding the extentof adjacent illumination, an embodiment of the present invention mayincorporate custom programming of such features by individual person190, or within standard preset selections, where a relatively largenumber of lights are illuminated adjacent to person 190, or where only aminimum number of lights are illuminated. Again, the level ofillumination may additionally vary with relation to the person, thegeometry of the building space, in accord with personal preferences, orfor other building management reasons.

When person 190 has traveled farther, lights 509-511 may beextinguished, in effect providing a moving “bubble” of illuminationsurrounding person. Other lights are automatically shut-off or dimmed asdesired and controlled by program. As FIG. 5 illustrates, lights withinroom 20 may similarly be activated and controlled, so for exemplarypurposes as illustrated, light 531 may be at full intensity, lights521-530 may be extinguished completely, and light 520 may be operatingin a greatly dimmed state, but still providing adequate lighting to easeperson 190.

The present invention reduces the extent of human interaction requiredto control various functions such as light switches and thermostats,while simultaneously increasing the capabilities of such controls.Individual or selected groups of lights may be selectively configuredfor optimal physiological and psychological effects and benefits for oneor more applications, and then may be readily reconfigured withoutchanges to physical structures for diverse applications having differentrequirements.

Such embodiments are an improvement over conventional motion detectors,due to the “smart” nature of the optical XCVRs. Rather than waiting fora time delay as is the case with motion detectors, the optical XCVRs(and in some embodiments the optical XCVRs in conjunction with software)in the LED XCVR lighting fixture recognize immediately that the personhas moved beyond a particular light, allowing that particular light tobe dimmed or turned off. Also, this smart technology may be used to turnlights on only for people with the correct code embedded in an opticalXCVR name tag. In such an embodiment, the user can walk into arestricted area, and if not authorized to be there, the lights wouldremain off, and if authorized the lights would turn on. Alternatively, ateacher with an optical XCVR name tag grading papers in a classroom, forexample, may use the name tag to turn only the lighting near theteacher's desk at full brightness, while other lighting in the roomremains at a dimmer, more energy efficient, setting.

Energy management is not solely limited to total power consumption. Peakinrush current is also an important factor monitored by many utilitycompanies. This is the peak power draw of the power customer, forexemplary purposes within each twenty-four hour period. By controllingthe timing of illumination and other equipment start-up, electrical drawmay be gradually ramped up. Many devices initially draw more power atstart-up than when operational. So, since each light is individuallyaddressed and controlled, and appliances or machines may similarly becontrolled, the communications afforded by the present invention permitmuch smaller banks of devices to be started, allowing those devices tosurge and then settle to lower energy requirements before starting thenext bank of devices. Some devices and machines very quickly drop downto lower power draw. LED light sources are such a device. Banks of theseLED light sources may very quickly and sequentially be started. Otherdevices, such as electrical compressors found in heat pumps,refrigeration and air conditioning units, may require much more time forstart-up, before additional devices should be started. Likewise, theparticular order of start-up may be optimized for the various electricalloads found within a building. All of this is readily accomplishedthrough simple programming and communication through preferred LED lightsources or equivalents thereto.

In other embodiments of the invention, numbers of occupants within aspace may be used not only for anticipating illumination, but also tocontrol operation of other appliances and machinery within the building.Exemplary of this, but not limited thereto, are water and space heatersand coolers, and all other electrical or electrically controllabledevices.

Because this energy management system requires far fewer human monitors,it provides additional cost saving. A guard would be needed primarily torespond if an alarm were present without having to identify severalsituations. A guard might be stationed only near a metal detector, forexample, without having to monitor other stations. In addition, a moreaccurate inventory of persons, other assets, or substances in a buildingbecomes possible. An important safety feature, however, is the greaterreliability of electronics over personal vigilance.

The present invention also has the capacity to provide low powercommunications for energy management, emergency back-up, security andspecial applications utilizing alternative power sources such asbatteries or solar cells. Since each individual LED light source may beseparately controlled, unnecessary lights may be extinguished in anemergency. Remaining lights may be used to signal emergency routes whichmay be emergency exits, predetermined shelter such as in the event of atornado, safe locations potentially determined in real time in the eventof an intruder or other hazard. The remaining lights may also oralternatively be used to maintain nominal communications channels withinthe building. The signals in such instance may be unable to be carriedthrough power lines, and so may alternatively be implemented through arepeater function from one light to the next to travel entirely througha chain of LED optical XCVR light sources.

In accordance with another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, building lighting may be modulated with time and date stampsor the like. Video recordings made within the space of modulatedillumination will have an optical watermark automatically embeddedtherein. The embedding of such identifiable signals ensures theintegrity of video recordings made under these lights.

If audio and/or video is additionally enabled, either through opticalXCVR communications badges or separate optical XCVR wall-mounteddevices, the video can be used to capture the last-known conditions of auser or an area.

A network of LED optical transceivers may also be in communication withan intelligent audio/visual observation and identification databasesystem which may be coupled to sensors as disposed about a building. Theintelligent system may then build a database with respect to temperaturesensors within specific locations, pressure sensors, motion detectors,optical XCVR communications badges, phone number identifiers, soundtransducers, and/or smoke or fire detectors. Recorded data as receivedfrom various sensors may be used to build a database for normalparameters and environmental conditions for specific zones of astructure for individual periods of time and dates. A computer maycontinuously receive readings/data from remote sensors for comparison tothe pre-stored or learned data to adjust building systems.

In some embodiments, an intelligent observation and identificationdatabase system may be arranged to learn the expected times for arrivaland departure of individuals and vehicles from various zones. Each timean individual or vehicle enters or exits a zone, the system may recordin the database the time and location of the arrival or exit. Thefurther enhanced building management and energy savings by regulatingbuilding systems according to learned conditions.

Over time, the system may learn typical paths, times and zones whereindividuals spend their time. Thus, the intelligent audio/visualobservation and identification database system may be coupled to theoperational systems for a building, such as locking systems for doors,lighting systems, air conditioning systems, and/or heating systems.

In one embodiment each evolving database and/or mainframe database maybe capable of being continuously updated to include data saved by thecommunication system. Software is preferably loaded onto the computerfor creation of files representative of individuals. Access software maybe used to communicate with internal databases or external or remotedatabases, and comparison software may be used to review data as relatedto the external and/or internal databases.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database may becoupled to additional identification apparatus or systems including butnot limited to facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, palm printrecognition, voice print recognition, eye scan, and/or signaturerecognition devices/systems which may be coupled to the input devicesfor recording of data to be stored within the system for analysis anddisplay of a monitor.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database mayinclude probabilistic analysis software which may be used to assist inthe establishment of threshold levels for issuing a warning orinvestigation signal. In addition the evolving database and/or mainframedatabase may include Principle Component Analysis (PCA) software andEigenvector or Eigenspace decomposition analysis software to assist inthe establishment of thresholds.

Over time, in one embodiment the communication system may learn typicalpaths, times and areas where specific individuals spend their time.

In one embodiment the communication system is preferably proactive andis continuously screening and comparing data being input from the XCVRsfor comparison to the previously stored records within the accumulateddatabase.

In those embodiments where audio signaling or communications areenabled, and owing to the exact room position detection afforded by thepresent invention, location specific access intelligence may also beincorporated. As but one example, if a doctor is in a surgical room, thepager may remain silent. Once the doctor exits surgery, then the pagermay be reactivated. This control may be automatic, simply incorporatedinto the programming of the system. In addition to the foregoing, audioand video communications are possible in accord with lightcommunications in locations and environments where cellular or radiocommunications may be impossible, forbidden, or unreliable, extendingexisting communications systems.

As stated above, the LEDs may be bi-directional. In at least oneembodiment, the optical XCVR is comprised of bi-directional LEDs. Insuch an embodiment, the optical XCVR is constructed and arranged suchthat at least one of the bi-directional LEDs allows paralleltransmitting and receiving of light signals.

Within the disclosure provided herein, the term “processor” refers to aprocessor, controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, mainframecomputer or server, or any other device that can execute instructions,perform arithmetic and logic functions, access and write to memory,interface with peripheral devices, etc.

In some embodiments, an optical signal amplifier is in communicationwith the photodiodes to increase the signal strength of the receivedlight signals. In at least one embodiment, the LEDs are in operativecommunication with an LED power driver, ensuring a constant currentsource for the LEDs.

In some embodiments, optical XCVRs may be placed in numerous locationsas lighting sources. In some embodiments, an XCVR as integral to aceiling mounted or other type of light fixture may in turn be in directcommunication with a computer, processor, microprocessor, mainframecomputer or server, and/or other computing device as earlier describedthrough the use of wire, cable, optically via pulsed lightcommunication, over a Broad Band Power Line system or over any othertype of communication system.

In one embodiment a series of XCVRs are in communication with the systemprocessor, mainframe computer or server, through sequential transmissionand receipt of pulsed light communication signals. In one embodiment theseries of XCVRs are in communication with the system processor,mainframe computer or server, through the Broad Band Over Power LineCommunication System. In one embodiment the series of XCVRs are incommunication with the system processor, mainframe computer or serverthrough the use of cable, wire, or other communication media.

In one embodiment the communication system including the XCVR may beincorporated into a hand held or portable unit. In other embodiments thecommunication system may be incorporated into a device such as acellular telephone.

In at least one embodiment, a Visible Light Embedded Communications(VLEC) apparatus, network, and/or system is disclosed. In oneembodiment, a VLEC Light Emitting Diode (LED) light panel 200 is coupledto an electronic device through an optical communications channel 300.

In some embodiments, an optical transmitter and receiver are providedand enable communication over optical communications channel 300. Amicrophone, loudspeaker, microphone and speaker combination, ordual-purpose device may be provided to integrate an auditorycommunication channel between an LED light fixture and nearby livingbeings or other animate or inanimate objects. A video camera may beincorporated to capture video or still pictures.

In at least one embodiment, VLEC light panel 200 includes a plurality ofLEDs and optical detectors. One or more optical detectors may beprovided, and may either be broad spectrum detectors or alternativelycolor-filtered or sensitive to only a single color.

In some embodiments, a variety of physical and electrical configurationsare contemplated herein for LED light panel 200. Light panel 200 mayreplace a standard fluorescent tube light fixture. The fixture may thenbe wired for any suitable or desired voltage, and where a voltage orcurrent different from standard line voltage is used, transformers orpower converters or power supplies may be provided.

In some embodiments, more than one client is potentially coupled througha common host 200, and is potentially using the same communicationschannel as another client. When this occurs multiplexing or networkcommunications techniques may be implemented. Among these, but certainlynot limited thereto, are such techniques as static or dynamic assignmentof unique communications channels, or Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM)of a single channel with appropriate collision resolution.

Communication may further be shared with optically-enabled telephones,TV and music, Internet, public address, computing devices of all sorts,ranging from hand-held devices such as Personal Digital Assistants(PDAs), to massive mainframe computers 60, and including PersonalComputers (PCs) 70, 72, printers 76, network storage devices 65,building maintenance wiring such as thermostats, HVAC systems, firealarms, motion detectors, and any other electrical or electronicapparatus existing or appearing within the room or space, other securityand safety devices, appliances, manufacturing machinery, and so forth.Essentially, any device which incorporates or can be made to incorporatesufficient electronic circuitry may communicate with VLEC host 200 toexchange information at any time. Advantageously, many differentconditions or devices may be simultaneously monitored and/or controlledwhen they are broadcasting information through the preferred network,because they are operating on a wide-bandwidth optical link. Thisinformation can be used anywhere on the network, which includes theother rooms or a central server.

In accord with one embodiment of the invention, LEDs are used totransmit through optical communication channel 300 several kinds ofdata, including identity, location, audio and video information. The useof an optical communications link provides large available bandwidth,which in turn permits multiple feeds of personal communication betweenLED light panels 200 and badges 100 or other clients in bandwidthssimilar to or in excess of that of cell phones.

Since location may be relatively precisely discerned, opticaltransmitter or LEDs may in one embodiment be configured to change color,flash, or otherwise be visually changed or manipulated to assist withdirectional guidance, personnel identification, energy management, or tofacilitate the meeting and connection of individuals.

FIG. 10 additionally illustrates Broadband-over-Power Line (BPL)transmission of signals through an electrical distribution panel, suchas a circuit breaker panel 50 or the like. Preferably, power line wiringfrom panel 50 is enclosed in conduit 55, thereby shielding the BPLsignals to produce S-BPL (Shielded BPL).

In accord with the teachings of the present invention, a visible lighttransceiver can take many shapes and forms while still offering theduality of general lighting and communication. As FIG. 11 illustrates,one of many possible geometries includes a general 2×2 office VLEClighting fixture 200 configured with LEDs. These installed fixtures 200will be considered host fixtures for an internal network ofcommunication.

The host fixtures 200 may be configured to manage the relationship ofclient devices associated with this technology. They can also managepeer to peer relationships to provide redundancy or act as part of aninfrastructure void of multiple transport medium interconnects. The host200 may provide intelligent packet analysis whereby false or inadvertentlight photons may be discarded. The means of recognition or validationmay be provided by multiple checks and verifications. The VLEC hostfixtures 200 and clients will each be assigned a unique Machine AccessCode and Electronic Serial Number. The Machine Access Codes andElectronic Serial Numbers will be assigned by the certifiedmanufacturer's facility and matched against a unique relationship tableresiding on various certified servers. The client devices may then moveabout a LAN, an entire office building, a WAN or other network andachieve maximum throughput rates similar to that of the location theyoriginated. An added benefit of the preferred visible light embeddedcommunications comprised by optical communications channel 300 is that,with increased bandwidth, back end software for synchronizing data onPDAs and other mobile devices may be improved by almost 5 fold over RFapplications as the transport mediums, changing the communicationschannel bottleneck from RF.

FIG. 12 illustrates many different types of exemplary communicationsthat may be provided incorporating the VLEC technology of the presentinvention. Access to the World Wide Web will be enabled through networkaccess 499 to allow users the benefit of web surfing. VLEC technologyallows this access to be untethered and nomadic, even though beyond abuilding or space the network access 499 may be further coupled usingconventional cable 512, Internet Service Provider (ISP) 514 links suchas satellite or dial-up, DSL 516, or other suitable link 518. AVcommunications 520 may include various device interface applications 519such as appliance communications or manipulation 532 and automatedmanufacturing 534. HDTV 540 is further contemplated, including mobileHDTV 542, mobile gaming 544 and interactive TV 546, but other types ofvideo are additionally contemplated herein, including Slow-Scan TV(SSTV) or other known systems for capturing video information.Telecommunications and personal communications may further be enabled,for exemplary purposes using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) 550 andmobile voice 552. Other A/V applications are generically identified at560. In another contemplated communications category, tracking data 570may be gathered and used based upon the unique addresses assigned toVLEC host fixtures 200. The tracking information may be used for energymanagement 572, Global Positioning Satellite Routing Systems (GPSRS)574, security 576, and other tracking applications 578. Whilecommunications are conceived as occurring between a plurality of hostsand clients simultaneously, in many instances one client will only becoupling one data stream at a time with a host. To better illustratethis, FIGS. 13-15 illustrate examples of single data category exchangesthat might occur between a host and client.

Considering FIG. 15 in more detail, and to better illustrate the depthof the present invention, core VoIP networks can be installed andintegrated into the BPL network and provide a new form of untetheredcommunications. A VLEC to Landline voice call can originate on a clientVLEC device and if not connected to the wall can become mobile ornomadic as desired. This ability arises as the VLEC infrastructure wouldsearch for active, verified and validated clients in its network underlayers 1 thru 4 of the well-known OSI model incorporated herein byreference, which include the physical, data-link, network and transportlayers. These layers 1-4 are preferably insulated from the session,presentation and application layers 5-7. Certain Intelligent VLECfixtures will provide the path to allow the origination of the voicecall. As the VLEC client device moves from the originating fixture tothe next fixture, the back end software will detect, verify andestablish the channel for the client device to use. The distance of theclient device will be measured according to the designed calculations oflight photons for the best signal, and when this is achieved, aninstruction to provide connectivity through this light is issued. Inthis case, light will be referred to as the Edge VLEC. Multiple EdgeVLECs are often designed into the network where voice calls are desired.The Edge VLEC fixtures will then hand off to the next VLEC source thatis built into the relational database and continue the call. If theoriginating call moves towards a predetermined area that is consideredoutside of the VLEC coverage and the VLEC client device is capable ofhandling RF communications, then the call can then be set up to contactan RF carrier of choice and begin setting up the call as a cellularevent. This would mitigate the amount of RF coverage required to providea more robust voice cellular network.

An additional feature unique to the VLEC technology with respect tocellular communications is the optional inclusion of an ultra-fastvirtual location register that is integrated into various parts of thenetwork, thereby reducing the latency inherent in today's cellularnetworks. A faster verification of electronic serial numbers isestablished in this database, thus improving on the time to re-establishvoice or data connections. This ultra-fast virtual location register ispart of the Virtual Location Register and Host Location Register will beintegral in the voice and data communications.

If the originating call then wishes to establish a VLEC VoIP to VLECVoIP call, the call would be handled by the IP network as a typical VoIPto VoIP call over the Extranet, Intranet or Internet as performed today.As the caller moves about the office, the IP network will again managethe call against light photon strength and, when conditions are met,hand off the call from one VLEC source to the next. As the call is torndown, the validation including digits dialed, origination source,destination source, port and IP address, type of client device, fixturedevice used for origination, type of call, duration of the call, chargesif applicable for the type of call, circuits used if roaming onto thecellular network may all be stored into a data record similar to thecall detail record of a standard telephone call. In regards to a puredata session, the VLEC client device will establish its connectionthrough the VLEC light fixture which may be plugged into the wall and/orinstalled as a general lighting unit. The connection will be establishedupon the customary protocols of today, again using layers 1 thru 4 ofthe OSI Model. Once the connection is made, the client is free to moveabout within the confines of the designed network area while maintainingrequired throughput rates.

As home devices utilize this same technology, common replacements ofincandescent bulbs with VLEC technology is anticipated, thus providinginteraction similar to those applied in business.

The NTIA refers to devices as the following. Section 15.109(a), Class-Aequipment includes devices marketed for use in a commercial, industrialor business environment, excluding devices which are marketed for use bythe general public or are intended to be used in the home. Class Bequipment includes devices marketed for use in a residentialenvironment, notwithstanding use in commercial, business and industrialenvironments. The rules require Access BPL systems to comply with thelimits for Class A or B devices depending on whether they are marketedfor use in a commercial, industrial or business environment on the onehand or for use by the general public or in the home on the other. Underthis Class A/Class B regime, Access BPL systems that operate on mediumvoltage lines external to residential environments are considered ClassA devices. In one embodiment, a VLEC host 200 will interface with themajority of all medium voltage systems available commercially today.Referring to new lights as hosts 200 and mobile or nomadic devices asclients, VLEC technology can simply replace the last mile connection orinterconnection for the clients' use. VLEC host 200 will houseintelligence necessary to provide visually barely perceptible pulses oflight for use by client devices. Environments and equipment sensitive toRF propagation will find benefit from this technology, as a VLEC host200 will operate safely, and will not disturb or interfere with RFdevices in the area. Certain metallic designs often prevent RF frompenetrating, where VLEC can perform with success. By way of the presentVLEC technology, the area of information propagated by LEDs may be moreaccurately confined or focused safely and without harm to theenvironment or humans.

FIG. 16 illustrates one possible configuration of network relatedcomponents in combination with one possible configuration of VLECrelated components. As illustrated therein, the Internet 499 may beaccessed through a router 502, which might, for exemplary purposes, becoupled through a hardware or software firewall 504 to a standard officeLAN and switch 507. While not illustrated, firewall 504 may alsooptionally be provided between router 502 and BPL interface 400. FromBPL interface 400, a plurality of VLEC hosts 200 may be provided, eachdirectly coupled to BPL interface 400. In contrast, FIG. 17 illustratesa plurality of VLEC hosts 200, only one which is directly wired to BPLinterface 400, the remainder relying upon optical-to-opticalcommunications between VLEC hosts 200. In other words, the presentinvention contemplates not only directly wiring each VLEC host 200 toBPL interface 400, but where desirable providing wireless VLECcommunications between VLEC hosts 200, such that a communication from aclient may pass through one or more optical-to-optical links beforebeing coupled into a wired link.

In accord with one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 18 andsimilar to that illustrated and discussed with reference to FIG. 10, thewiring 410 between S-BPL interface 401 and LED light panels 200 isshielded by passing through a conduit 411 or the like and anyappropriate junction boxes 412, defining a ShieldedBroadband-over-Power-Line (S-BPL) connection that is both resistant tointerfering communications and also produces almost no radiant energy.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 18 the VLEC system has the capacityto provide low power communications for energy management, emergencyback-up, security and special applications utilizing alternative powersources such as batteries 404 or solar cells. Since each individual LEDlight panel 200 may be separately controlled, unnecessary lights may beextinguished in an emergency or during periods of nonuse. In someembodiments, the remaining lights may also or alternatively be used tomaintain nominal communications channels within the building. Thesignals in such instance may be unable to be carried through powerlines, and so may alternatively be implemented through anoptical-to-optical repeater function from one light to the next such asdescribed with reference to FIG. 17, to travel entirely through a chainof LED light panels 200. Additional Emergency Lighting Devices (ELD) 230may also be controlled by a suitably designed battery back-up,controller, rectifier and inverter module 403.

While bandwidth may be relatively limited in the case of open wiringinterspersed with other wires or adjacent to other sources of EMI/RFI,several additional circumstances may pre-exist or may be provided toboost the bandwidth of a system designed in accord with the presentinvention. In one embodiment, all or many BPL wires are shielded withina conduit 411 or other suitable shielding, most preferably for theentire distance between BPL interface 401 and each VLEC host such a LEDlight panels 200. Such shielding results in the preferred S-BPLcommunications channel, which is anticipated to have higher bandwidthcapability than provided with open and unshielded wires.

Relatively recently, artisans have also proposed using so-called E-linesfor extremely high bandwidth, low attenuation transmission. Suchtransmission schemes are, for exemplary purposes, proposed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,104,107 and 7,009,471, the entire contents of each beingexpressly incorporated herein by reference. While the present inventionis fully operational using known or well-established transmissiontechniques and resulting bandwidths, and so is completely independent ofwhether these E-line transmission techniques work and are applicable ornot to the present invention, the present invention further contemplatesimprovements to bandwidth using useful and functional transmissiontechniques and the incorporation of the same where operationallysuitable.

FIG. 19 illustrates that a Visible Light Embedded Coded (VLEC) Systemfeatures can include the responsibility for the validation of clientdevices by means of recognizing the client, then verifying the clientagainst a small integrated relational look-up table. If the clientdevice is foreign to the VLEC fixture, a verification request is thensent to a certified and redundant host core recognition service outsidethe network. This is similar to today's telecommunications networks. Theclient devices can be activated and de-activated by many forms. One suchway involves 2 steps.

Step one is to power on the device. Step two is when the device must beauthenticated and validated by the host look-up tables, which willprovide permission levels depending on the requirements. The result ofan unauthorized device will activate several processes. One, deactivatethe client or host device. The second is to relay real-time locationinformation about the device to the proper authorities.

An S-BPL transceiver 200 may be provided to receive and transmit datafrom/to the S-BPL enabled electrical circuit. The particular interfaceimplemented may vary. Currently a number of existing interfaces could beused, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet, Media IndependentInterface (MII), etc, and the particular choice of interface couldfurther depend on the S-BPL transceiver used, as will be apparent tothose skilled in the art.

A Digital Signal Processor or the like 231 is provided for programcontrol that can transmit/receive data to/from BPL communication network201 through transceiver 200. the Digital Signal Processor in anembodiment may respond to commands received on a network through S-BPLcoupling 240 to manipulate enable circuitry 204, and may also issuecommands or send data to network 201 if needed. If the transmit portionof enable circuitry 204 is enabled, these commands/data will also bepassed to the optical link.

Enable circuitry 204, may in one embodiment be enabled to turn on or offthe LED optical transmitter 250, as well as change the characteristicsof the light, such as brightness and even color mix when multicolor LEDsare used. The Digital Signal Processor circuitry 231 may also manipulatethe ability for BPL or any other medium transport known arts ofcommunication network 201, to send and/or receive data to or fromanother adjacent optical link. This feature would provide the abilityfor the VLEC host to act as a client as well.

Driver circuitry 251 and LED(s) 210-214 will pass any signals to anyoptical link for other devices designed to communicate. Driver circuitry251 may, in one embodiment, simply be appropriate buffering, isolation,modulation or amplification circuitry which will provide appropriatevoltage and power to adequately drive LED emitter 210-214 into producinga visible light transmission. Exemplary of common driver circuits areoperational amplifiers (Op-amps), transistor amplifiers and gates andNAND gates, though those skilled in the art of signal conditioning willrecognize many of the optional circuits and components which mightoptionally be used in conjunction with the present invention. Also, itis desirable to use a modulation scheme with the signal so as to providethe intended design of duality as a general lighting fixture. Thetransmit circuitry may have to provide a means of modulation in thiscase, also preferably incorporated into driver circuitry 251. The typeof modulation will be decided using known considerations at the time ofdesign, selected for exemplary purposes from FM, AM, PPM, PDM, PWM,OFDM, and other derivatives of QAM schemes in the known arts.

Similar to but preferably complementary with the transmission circuitry,receiver circuitry 222 receives data from the optical link detected byphoto sensor 220. Receiver circuitry 222 will appropriately amplify, andmay further convert a data bearing electrical signal into Binary orDigital pulses. As but one example of such conversion, receivercircuitry 228 may additionally demodulate a data bearing electricalsignal, if the data stream has been modulated by an optical host. Asuitable sampling circuitry 226 and discriminator 224 will condition thedata bearing electrical signal to yield appropriate and pre-determinedinformation as a received data signal. The data bearing electricalsignal is then demodulated by 223 and passed onto the DSP circuitry.From here the signal will contain protocol and payload packets that willpropagate back onto the BPL Medium infrastructure via known artapplications.

FIG. 20 illustrates a sample data packet 260 that might for exemplarypurposes be used to communicate data through a preferred VLEC apparatus.Data packet 260 might include a CTS (Clear To Send) header 261, followedby validation 262. The main data content will be carried within payload263, followed by a destination identifier 264, acknowledge 265, andpacket verify 266.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate different VLEC pulsing schemes 270 and 280,respectively, depending upon desired visible illumination levels. FIG.21 illustrates a series of pulses 271-276 which, if averaged, aregenerally illuminating an LED through more time than not. The human eyeproduces a chemical process that averages the amount of light throughtime to provide descriptive visions interpreted by the brain. Withenough pulses of long enough duty cycle, the human eye will discernillumination. The level of illumination can be controlled by amplitudeor duty cycle variations, as may be preferred, and preferably selectedin such a way as to not interfere with a particular data modulationscheme.

In contrast to VLEC pulsing scheme 270, the ultra-low duty-cyclelighting communications pulsing scheme 280 of FIG. 22 intentionallyreduces the duration of each pulse 281, 282 relative to the duration 283between pulses. This in turn substantially reduces the duty-cycle, andcan be used to dim or visibly extinguish an LED, while still providingcommunications through the LED. When extinguished, the duration of apulse is shortened just enough to provide space for valuable informationand the time between pulses are extended adequately to be undetectableby the human eye.

Ultra low duty cycle lighting technology can work positively bycontinuing to provide critical data to networks and people. With theappearance of being turned off, the lighting network can continue tocommunicate information. A second valuable trait is the very low energyconsumption of this technology. This can be useful in a power outage,and so might preferably be implemented in combination with the apparatusof FIG. 18. The ability to communicate information in dark rooms isfurther beneficial as part of a energy conservation effort, since lessenergy is being used for illumination. Further, if the unauthorizedperson brings a portable illumination source such as a flashlight,optical detector 220 may detect the additional illumination and signalunauthorized presence.

While the foregoing discussions reference the illumination of a singleLED or RGB LED, further contemplated herein is the separate control of alarge number of LEDs. In such case, where full illumination is desired,several LEDs may be providing illumination, while a separate LED handlescommunications. Likewise, in the case of an ultra-low duty cycle demand,communications may be divided among a plurality of LEDs, therebyreducing the on-time percentage required within any individual LED,thereby permitting more data to be transferred without perceptiblyincreasing the illumination level from an individual LED.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the present Visible Light EmbeddedCommunications technology is applicable to a very large number of quitediverse applications. The present discussions are presented as moreextensive, but purely exemplary illustrations of how VLEC may be appliedin different situations and in different industries.

In the field of energy management, controlling lights, HVAC and the likein the past have not incorporated the use of VLEC technology. However,energy management is not solely limited to total power consumption. Peakinrush current is also an important factor monitored by many utilitycompanies. This is the peak power draw of the power customer, forexemplary purposes within each twenty-four hour period. By controllingthe timing of illumination and other equipment start-up, electrical drawmay be gradually ramped up. Many devices initially draw more power atstart-up than when operational. So, since each light is individuallyaddressed and controlled and appliances or machines may similarly becontrolled, the communications afforded by the present invention permitmuch smaller banks of devices to be started, allowing those devices tosurge and then settle to lower energy requirements before starting thenext bank of devices. Some devices and machines very quickly drop downto lower power draw. Even LED light panels 200 which serve as VLEC hostsare such a device. Banks of these may very quickly and sequentially bestarted. Other devices, such as electrical compressors found in heatpumps, refrigeration and air conditioning units, may require much moretime for start-up, before additional devices should be started.Likewise, the particular order of start-up may be optimized for thevarious electrical loads found within a building. All of this is readilyaccomplished through simple programming and communication throughpreferred LED light panels 200 or equivalents thereto.

In other embodiments of the invention, numbers of occupants within aspace may be used not only for anticipating illumination, but also tocontrol operation of other appliances and machinery within the building.Exemplary of this, but not limited thereto, are water and space heatersand coolers, and all other electrical or electrically controllabledevices.

When applying VLEC to tracking data as illustrated in FIG. 12, thereexists a need to monitor assets throughout their journey. Intelligenttracking of client devices is applied by following a product, clientdevice or asset through an infrastructure. An asset may be created andassigned a unique identifier only known by the manufacturer and thepurchaser. The asset or entity will then be shipped to the purchaser andwhile in transit can be monitored by VLEC technology.

If audio and/or video is additionally enabled, either throughcommunications badges 100 or separate wall-mounted devices, the videocan be used to capture the last-known conditions of a user or an area.This can be important in the event a disaster strikes which results insignificant destruction of property or life.

Using access or in-house BPL infrastructures, the present invention canutilize existing building wires to propagate information thus reducingor minimizing the need for costly capital upgrades. Consequently, manyalterations or remodeling may simply be or result in relatively minorsoftware revisions. With proper placement of suitable fixtures at thetime of construction, no new illumination or communications wiring orfixtures will need to be provided, permitting extreme flexibility usingprimarily off-the-shelf components.

The embodiments illustrated herein are generally complimentary forindoor or outdoor use. In outdoor use, existing street lights and olderincandescent traffic lights may be exchanged with modern LED lighting,enabling intelligent roadway systems using BPL or other informationtransportation mediums. Similar to indoor lighting designs, the streetlights may provide an information infrastructure within themselves asthe VLEC technology is incorporated into them, thus providing a privateor secure form of information transfer. Existing metropolitan streetlights are used to complete network design communications to theeveryday intersection, thus alleviating the need for extensive fiberoptic cables to achieve the same results. Information assignment mayadditionally be controlled to specific areas, unlike Radio Frequencycommunications. Massive bandwidths of information are available at everyintersection, providing commercial, law enforcement and consumer needsand/or requirements. Moreover the cost for deployment is lower thanalternative technologies, as the present invention is used for bothinformation and providing areas of lighting at significantly reducedcapital cost verses the return on investment. Core networkinfrastructures will be improved by using the VLEC technology andreplacing huge amounts of cables on the back end of the IT controlrooms.

Intelligent roadways may be constructed using LEDs and eventuallyincorporate the present VLEC technology. This will permit sufficientbandwidth to provide more precisely mapped road ways, and provide thefoundation for improving traffic management by alerting drivers andemergency personnel of an accident or other traffic matter before theymay come upon it. This information can then be transferred to the driverwho would have the option of getting off at the nearest exit or beginslowing down the vehicle with a distance calculation device present inthe vehicle and providing them with the exact location of the accident.The driver may even opt for the automated version of having theirvehicle put into a safe driving mode and apply the brakes for them ifthey are within close proximity of the accident.

Parking lots and garages may additionally have VLEC host fixturesattached so that client devices that are attached or carried by someform can intelligently assist and remind a driver of the exact locationof a vehicle. Illumination schemes may be provided to further assist inthe identification that can range for exemplary purposes from specificcolors showing a path to the vehicle, to selectively illuminatingvehicle lights, to user name activation when the user is within thepre-designed proximity of the vehicle.

Even with today's advances in Radio Frequency technology there stillexist certain precautions in the medical field. Spurious RF emissionstend to interfere with sensitive medical equipment. Procedures involvingMagnetic Resonance Imaging continue and X-ray practices would findvaluable uses with this VLEC technology by alleviating bulky informationcables. This would save on valuable floor space in today's hospitalsfacilities. The majority of medical field could utilize this VLECtechnology by integrating with BPL technology. Hallways and areas of lowpopulation could have lights governed, and thus reduce annual operatingexpenses by employing this as an energy management solution. Medicalequipment will be able to take full advantage of VLEC technology coupledwith BPL infrastructures as this intelligence is integrated into theoperational methods of the equipment.

Today's satellite navigated Global Positioning are augmented with theuse of GPSRS. The burden on GPS satellites may be reduced by embeddingunique identifier information and pre-documented exact location of anentity or asset. The unique GPSRS identifier may be incorporated intoLED light fixtures or fixture controllers, switches, facility controlunits, facility servers, remote servers, power supplies, control unitsor any other electrical device which may be in a communication chain forcommunication of information, data packets, or commands or other typesof communication or information transfer. This GPS-based location maythen improve location-based services by providing real time location.Today's satellites update a location every 3 seconds. The informationabout the location of an entity or asset is always referenced back to aremote reference table. Current location measurements using satellitesalso require 3 or 4 satellites to improve the triangulation methodsneeded for locating a place or entity.

Location based services within a VLEC infrastructure will have the addedadvantage of improved and secure content. Personal Navigation deviceswill have the added advantage of providing improved coordination andcollaboration methods by providing an increase in friend to friendlocation services. A friend to friend location services is an optionalservice whereby a personal list of friends or family members equippedwith VLEC technology GPSRS devices can be created in a data base andthat data base is managed by the group participants. When needed theyutilize a VLEC GPSRS client device that associates with a VLEC host andthen with a connection of some form through a controller in the homethat connects or interfaces over BPL to the Internet. The informationwill then traverse the Internet and arrive at the predetermined locationbased on a designed collaboration (containing all Internet protocoladdresses subnets and ports designed for this purpose) by the friendsinvolved to create this network. The controlling device will containreference, relationship, awareness or look-up tables and establish in amillionth of a second, the location of the entity they are seeking. Thisinformation is then embedded or encapsulated into the data stream andtransceived throughout the Internet. Today's cumbersome RF calculationsrequire algorithmic math computations that are constantly changing andtherefore reduce the accuracy of locating the device in real-time. Areference back to the previous or last known location require constantupdates. Couple this with the inherent latency's of today's devices andeffectiveness is reduced. Based on RF applications, there may be a needto measure the RSSI (radio signal strength indicator) and relate thisinformation to another calculation table before we can apply probabletable coordinates in order to perform a triangulation calculation of theclient device. The RF Location based services rely heavily on assistedGPS technology. This technology is very taxing and expensive oncomputers, and contributes to a poor economy of scale approach forbusinesses. GPSRS will embed location information.

As may now be apparent, ultra high throughput at the last mile device isattained by VLEC augmenting methods that will prove more cost effectivethan any other solution available today. The present invention expandsareas of network access to include a more vertical growth in currentmature technologies. VLEC coupled with BPL and Ultra Low Duty Cyclelighting will extend the often limiting capabilities of Ethernet, USBand Wifi. Ethernet's primary focus has applied to a network consistingof wires. USB has simplified network connectivity.

At any time, using computing or electronic devices such as PCs, handheld devices, laptops, cell phones, transceiver glasses etc., you maychange the color and intensity of the light being generated by the LED'sto meet the needs of any given space.

In at least one embodiment, a controller or control server or otherelectronic device will provide a means to control lighting apparatus ofa facility while simultaneously enhancing and redefining securitysystems, facility operational systems, security cameras and publicaddress systems.

In some embodiments, visible light communication may reduce or eliminatethe need for future or additional wiring within an existing or plannedfacility networks environment. Visible light communication may alsoaugment existing networks.

Standard LED lights come in a variety of color temperatures, from ‘warm’yellows to ‘cool’ whites. In facilities such as hospitals and offices,color temperature may significantly affect mood and productivity, wheremaking a long-term commitment to a color temperature when converting toLED lighting may be a strong barrier to entry into LED lighting. In atleast one embodiment, the LED's within the VLEC system have adjustablecolor temperature. In some embodiments, the VLEC LED light fixtures maybe programmed to mimic the changing color temperate of sunlight as theday progresses.

In some embodiments, the solid state characteristics of LEDs allowenhanced control of energy consumption and light output throughautomated computer systems. For example, LED lights may be dimmed toprovide additional energy savings. Fluorescent lights, by comparison,are not only difficult to dim, but the process of dimming can shortenthe life of a fluorescent bulb. In a building incorporating a VLECsystem, dimming may be controlled via synchronization with environmentalstimuli to create a smart lighting environment which actively accountsfor sunlight and saves energy by automatically dimming the LED lightswithin a VLEC light fixture when sunlight conditions allow.

In some embodiments, VLEC lighting systems may allow for further energymanagement for building owners as well as load management for powerutilities. Power companies may have the ability to manage imperceptiblereductions in lighting output across entire sections of a building, cityblock, or power grid. This feature would benefit the power utility andthe customers, especially where peak energy consumption is high andenergy demand outpaces infrastructural capacity.

Even in spaces not separated by physical objects, programmable signalresponse timing methods may create broadcast ranging in VLECtransmissions such that communication between a VLEC enabled apparatusmay only occur at specified distances. In addition, because of higherachievable transmission rates, security will be further improved as moreadvanced encryption systems may be encoded into a VLEC wirelesstransmissions.

In some embodiments, the use BPL by the VLEC system may enable moreadvanced telecommunication and broadband services. For example, thehurdles of the “Last Mile” could potentially be avoided by transmittingdata signals over a utility company's infrastructure in tandem withexisting fiber optic network transport. Combined with the internaldistribution of VLEC light fixtures throughout a building, the VLECsystem may provide unlimited data hot spots without the latency causedby traditional physical limitations. Within a ubiquitous networkenvironment using a VLEC system, customers may enjoy higher data speedsand security throughout an entire facility. In some embodiments, a VLECsystem may be integrated with VoIP telephone services.

In some embodiments, a VLEC system may communicate data at a rate of 3Mbps. In some embodiments, a VLEC system may reduce lighting energyconsumption in a commercial building by 50%-90%.

In at least one embodiment, the VLEC system provides at least two majorservices, communication and lighting, for one cost. The VLEC systemprovides networking capabilities as well as continued monitoring andmaintenance of VLEC light fixtures and communication system wherelighting maintenance and related operational costs are provided by theVLEC lighting fixture owners. In some embodiments, such operationalcosts include: electrical consumption; lamp replacement and disposal;ballast replacement; lens replacement and cleaning; costs associatedwith requisition and employee distractions or interruptions; paperworkfor purchase and defective returns as well as paperwork and operationalcosts for shipping, receiving, and distribution.

In some embodiments, a VLEC system and VLEC light fixture will include acamera, microphone, speaker, and sensory equipment integration. Camerasand other integrated devices may be used as environment sensors,detecting human traffic or ambient light, such as sunlight. In someembodiments, the camera, microphone, speaker and/or sensory equipmentmay reduce lighting energy consumption when a room is unoccupied or whenambient light conditions allow for reduced indoor lighting intensity.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system may include facial recognitionsoftware (together with camera, microphone, and speaker technology)which may be incorporated into a VLEC light fixture, where intercomcalls may be made directly to the VLEC light fixture under which aperson is standing. The person being called will communicate back bysimply speaking near the light fixture. Such a system could eliminatethe need to broadcast messages to an entire facility to ensure that theperson being paged is reached. In some embodiments, the VLEC system mayinclude other biometric recognition software such as voice recognitionsoftware, retinal scanner software, finger print or other digit or palmrecognition software to name a few.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system also provides IT Savings, AirConditioning Savings, Wireless Security, Network Service Dependability,Environmental Stewardship, and Energy Mandate Compliances.

In some embodiments, a VLEC system is in communications with othersystems, providing the ability to offload mobile data traffic onto fixedVLEC Network devices. In some embodiments, the VLEC system may alsoprovide Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

In some embodiments, the coupling of the VLEC system with a BPL networkwill provide integrated networks using BPL technology to enable thephysical deployment of increased and enhanced security services, such asproviding VLEC light fixtures enabled with surveillance technology.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system will incorporate an analogcommunication scheme (i.e. OFDM signaling) as well as integrated carriersignal technology. Further the VLEC system will incorporate globalpositioning system routing service (GPSrS) capabilities and remoteaccess management for integration with utility companies. Further, everyelectrical component forming the VLEC system or communication with theVLEC system will incorporate a global positioning system routing service(GPSrS) identifier and GPSrS recognition capabilities and remote accessmanagement for integration with utility companies or other communicationor data/information systems.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system may be enabled with BPL technologyusing external BPL modules which may be integral to a VLEC lightfixture. In some embodiments, a VLEC light fixture will still becompatible with standard network wiring, integrated BPL technology willprovide enhanced performance, simplified installation, and lowerinstallation cost to the customer.

In some embodiments, remote access management (RAM) software will allowaccurate monitoring and control of individual VLEC light fixtures from acentralized computing location within a VLEC system equipped building.With RAM VLEC light fixtures may be programmed to turn on/off duringspecific times of the day, increase/decrease in brightness or compensatefor daylight hours. With these features, a building owner employing theVLEC system may more accurately monitor and manage energy lightingconsumption in a building.

In some embodiments, VLEC light fixtures may be installed throughout anentire building space and offer comprehensive lighting and communicationservices based on a digital communication scheme. With thiscommunication scheme, each VLEC light fixture may support networking andcommunication capabilities for one or more computing devices, such aslaptop computers. If 12 VLEC light fixtures are installed in a room,then 12 laptops or other VLEC system enabled devices, such as networkedprinters or telephones, may access the VLEC system network using theVLEC light fixtures.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system will incorporate an analogcommunication scheme, such as an Orthogonal Frequency-DivisionMultiplexing (OFMD) enabled communication scheme. With OFDM technology,each VLEC light fixture will support several computing devicessimultaneously, as each LED in an VLEC light fixture becomes its own,independent communication point, capable of transmitting hundreds ofcommunication channels simultaneously. Therefore, each VLEC lightfixture will be capable of supporting a virtually unlimited number ofcomputing devices.

In addition, by tuning the components in BPL circuitry, the VLEC systemmay accommodate the conversion of OFDM signals into light signals withvery limited hardware.

In some embodiments, VLEC light fixtures may communicate with acomputing device in a line-of-sight configuration. With the integrationof carrier signal technology, VLEC light fixtures may be capable ofcommunicating using a non-line-of-sight configuration. Being under aVLEC light fixture will not be a prerequisite to communicating throughthe VLEC system network. In at least one embodiment, communicationthrough the VLEC system will be possible using reflected or ambient LEDlight signals.

In at least one embodiment, a user of a VLEC system may remotely controlthe lighting and communication environment in a building throughautomated management features. For example, RAM controlled VLEC lightingwill have the ability to actively respond to activity within a building,such as human traffic. With daylight harvesting, RAM may program VLEClight fixtures to automatically reduce lumen output when sunlight ispresent in a room.

In some embodiments, RAM will broaden the scope of VLEC system servicesto include other security and communication features, such ascentralized visual surveillance incorporating security cameras installedon the VLEC light fixtures. Incorporating intercom and facialrecognition into such a VLEC system may enhance security within afacility as well as providing intercom announcements directly to anindividual within a VLEC system enabled environment.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system will incorporate GPSrS technology.Currently, Internet protocol (IP) security allows an individual toaccess infrastructural systems from anywhere in the world. In someembodiments, the VLEC system is incredibly secure requiring appropriatepasswords or necessary equipment thereby preventing ‘faking’ identitiesand gaining unauthorized access to IP protected systems.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system enhances cyber securityestablishing electrical smart grids, which may be based on standardInternet protocol.

In some embodiments, the VLEC system with GPSrS technology may eliminatecyber-security concerns. With GPSrS technology, a VLEC network use istied to physical locations instead of easily manipulated passwords.Every packet of information sent over a GPSrS enabled infrastructure istagged with a GPSrS coordinate identified with the communication node(VLEC light fixtures or other GPSrS enabled network device) which may beused to access and support the network. In some embodiments, everypacket of information sent over a GPSrS enabled infrastructure may alsobe tagged with a receipt and/or transmission time stamp by eachrespective communication node (VLEC light fixtures or other GPSrSenabled network device) which may be used to access and support thenetwork. Data or information to be communicated within the VLEC systemwill be continually tagged and/or updated with GPSrS identifiers fromtransmitting and receiving locations within the VLEC system. Only thosepackets of information tagged with the correct coordinate location (andany intermediate location along with any other necessary passwords oridentifying material) have access to the system. As such, aninfrastructure control may only allow access from predeterminedlocations (using a predetermined VLEC light fixture or GPSrS enablednetwork device) such that the packets of information desiring access arecoded with the appropriate GPSrS coordinates. In some embodiments, everyVLEC light fixture may be operationally tied to a GPSrS location, andwill not communicate if removed from its authorized location andinstalled elsewhere.

In some embodiments, as a packet of information travels from its sourcedestination to its final destination, it is continually evaluated byeach communication node (VLEC light fixture or other GPSrS enablednetwork device) through which it passes. Each communication nodeinterrogates the packet of information to discover the packet's lastknown destinations and its intended final destination, and checks thatinformation against its current location and intended subsequentlocation to determine if any discrepancies exist. In addition, eachcommunication node interrogates the packet of information to discoverthe time of the transmission and/or receipt from the packet's last knowndestinations to verify or determine any timing or delay discrepanciesexist during the communication or over the communication route. Eachdata packet is therefore subjected to continual and ongoingauthentication by each communication node (VLEC light fixture or otherGPSrS enabled network device) through which it passes. If nodiscrepancies are identified then the packet is tagged with uniqueinformation from the interrogating communication node and sent to thenext node along its path, where it is again evaluated using theinformation from the previous node and those preceding it. If adiscrepancy exists, the packet cannot proceed within the VLEC system.This procedure establishes security for the data packet in real time andreal space.

In some embodiments, the provision of Remote Access Management, within aVLEC system may allow local power utilities to integrate with the VLECsystem to create total grid management capabilities. With smart-gridtechnology enabled by VLEC system remote management features, a utilitycompany can monitor and stabilize power consumption across one or morepower grids. For example, during peak consumption, a utility company mayremotely reduce lumen output across a grid by an imperceptible 2% or 3%for a short period of time.

The ability to stabilize electrical consumption is important to utilitycompanies, which must build grid infrastructure (i.e. power lines,transformers, generating facilities, etc.) to accommodate peakconsumption periods of a day. This peak infrastructure is expensive tobuild and not efficiently utilized during non-peak consumption hours(when electrical consumption across a grid is significantly decreased).Therefore, stabilizing consumption across a grid is valuable to utilitycompanies reducing the need to build electrical infrastructure. Also,electrical consumption reductions realized when energy efficient VLEClights are deployed reduces peak infrastructure need.

In some embodiments, the use of a VLEC system and/or network facilitatesthe monitoring of power consumption within a building, and control ofpower usage, further stabilizing power consumption across an electricalgrid. For example, a VLEC system enabled building with controlsintegrated into its elevator system may balance intermittent elevatorusage and subsequent power consumption with lighting or illuminationoutput. In some embodiments, the VLEC system may recognize when anelevator is in use, and may simultaneously reduce lighting consumptionacross designated areas of a building by imperceptible quantities, butwith the effect of balancing power consumption within the building. In abuilding with integrated HVAC systems, HVAC consumption may be used tobalance power consumption.

In some embodiments, the reduction in lighting output, or powerrelocations among various pieces of equipment established through theuse of the VLEC system, would be imperceptible to the unknowingindividual, the ability to reallocate power and stabilize electricalconsumption within a single building, throughout a full city block, oracross an entire power grid would conserve electricity and reduce autility company's need to build expensive peak infrastructure.

In at least one embodiment, an operating exchange is utilized inassociation with a pulsed light communication system, using LED pulsedlight communication signals embedded within illumination generated fromLED light fixtures. In some embodiments the operating exchange isincorporated into the infrastructure of a building or structureutilizing LED light fixtures and other operating systems. In someembodiments, an individual may speak any language or have anyeducational background or training, and the individual may be able toimmediately and intuitively operate the operating exchange for LEDpulsed light and communication system and building operative systems. Insome embodiments, the operating exchange is not dependent on culture orgender training or knowledge of an individual.

In some embodiments, the operating exchange is used to control all ofthe LED light fixtures and operating parameters within a structure orbuilding. In some embodiments, the operating exchange facilitates anindividual's ease of use of LED light fixtures and other functionswithin a building. In some embodiments, the operating exchange may beincorporated into more or less than all of the LED light fixtures oroperating systems for a building.

In some embodiments, a computer or webpage on a computer may includedrawings, diagrams and/or blueprints of a structure, where the operatingexchange permits an individual to manipulate operating systems andcontrols within a building through activation/deactivation ormanipulation through the computer or webpage. In some embodiments, anindividual may focus on a desired location on a drawing, diagram and/orblueprint in order to access a system control to toggle the systemcontrol to a desired setting. The desired location on the drawing,diagram, and/or blueprint may represent switches and/or controls forbuilding systems. In some embodiments, the switches and/or controls maycommunicate feedback as to the current status of a system setting. Insome embodiments, the drawings, diagrams and/or blueprints as includedin a computer include markers/identifiers such as rectangles or othershapes which represent LED light fixtures or groups of LED lightfixtures or other systems or system controls. In some embodiments, thecomputer may also include indicators as to operational performance suchas the amount of electricity being used or the setting of a system suchas operation at a maximum or high level, as opposed to operation at alow setting.

In at least one embodiment, the operating exchange includes indicatorsas to the setting and/or operational status of building systems orfeatures such as LED light fixtures, or other building systems, such asa thermostat.

In at least one embodiment, the operating exchange includes indicatorsfor LED light fixtures such as the color, or color setting, for LED'swithin the LED light fixtures. In some embodiments, the color of theLED's within the LED light fixtures may vary.

In some embodiments, each building including LED light fixtures mayinclude a map of the location of each of the LED light fixtures whereeach LED light fixture includes a unique location identifier which maybe GPSrS Global Positioning System Routing System information.

In some embodiments, each control element, switch, activation device,keypad, button, dial, photodetector, LED lighting element, a dongle orkey device, sensor, monitor, or other devices used to establishcommunication within a pulsed light communication system may include aunique location identifier such as GPSrS. In some embodiments, not allof the control elements are required to include LED communicationdevices, and some control elements will be in direct communication witha control server via wires. In alternative embodiments, a controlelement may be wired, where the wire extends to an intermediate pulsedlight communication hub. The intermediate pulsed light communication hubincludes a unique location identifier, controller, photodetector(s) andLED's and is adapted to receive pulsed light communication signals andto process the received pulsed light communication signals intoelectrical signals to be passed over the wire to a particular controlelement to change the status of the control element.

In some embodiments, each LED light fixture, LED dongle or key device,and each control element includes a specific location identifier whichmay be similar to the GPSrS location address, or an alpha-numeric, ornumeric identifier as assigned to the control element to preciselylocate the control element relative to the map, diagram, drawings,image, model and/or blueprint of a structure as included within afacility control unit. In some embodiments, each LED light fixture, LEDdongle or key device, and each control element includes processors,controllers, LED's, and photodetectors to be in communication with apulsed light communication system to receive pulsed light signals and togenerate pulsed light signals to communicate information as to thestatus of a LED light fixture, dongle or key or control element. In someembodiments, each control element of a building system, such as alighting system, heating system, security system, monitoring system,metering system, recording system, speaker system, elevator system toname a few, either has an integral LED photodetector and/or controllerand LED's for pulsed light communication (integral Charlie unit) or maybe retro-fitted to include an LED communication device such as a dongleor key device to receive pulsed LED light communication signals from anLED light fixture, and to generate and communicate LED light signals forreceipt by an LED light fixture to provide information in response to astatus request.

In some embodiments, each control unit may include sensors, meters,controllers, processors, photodetectors, and LED's to receive and togenerate pulsed light communication signals to a facility control unit.In some embodiments, each control unit may function to be electricallyconnected to, and in communication with, motors, devices, servo motors,solenoids, or other electronic devices which are used to alter thestatus of a building system or system element such as a door lock, athermostat, a light switch, an elevator control, a speaker, amicrophone, a monitor to name a few. It should be noted that theidentified elements for the control elements, building systems, systemelements, or other identifiers herein are not intended to be exhaustive,and should be interpreted as expansive and are not intended to belimiting as to the specific elements or types of elements as identifiedherein.

In some embodiments, the facility control unit and/or each controlelement includes a processor, or controller which includes a securityprotocol to restrict activation or a change of status until such time asa security protocol has been satisfied, which may be communicateddirectly through pulsed LED light communication signals, or through anintermediate pulsed LED light communication hub, or via an electricalsignal passed over a wire.

In some embodiments, the processor/controller in communication with eachcontrol element receives control signals, activation signals, or changeof status signals which were generated from a facility control unit, orother remotely located control server, or other system server. In someembodiments, the processor/controller is in communication with eachcontrol element which may generate a device or operational status signalto be received by a facility control unit, remotely located controlserver, or other system server. The device or operational status signalin some embodiments is generated and transmitted by pulsed LED lightcommunication signals.

In other embodiments, functions such as microphones and speakers may beregulated as well as cellular telephones if equipped with a pulsed lightcommunication interface such as a dongle or key device. In someembodiments, cellular telephones may be deactivated within a buildingthrough manipulation of the virtual cyber-building control items.

In at least one embodiment a facility control unit is in communicationwith the LED XCVR light fixtures within each facility, where thefacility control unit aggregates all connections from LED light fixturesback through one or more power units or power unit controllers forcommunication to a control server through use of the internet. Thecontrol unit comprises a computer. The facility management unit includesa Web server and a website. The website allows an individual to controlthe LED lights or LED light fixtures and to monitor how much energy isbeing used. The website may also regulate at least one securityauthorization which may be logon criteria including passwords and userverifications or other desired security measures. Following logon anindividual through the control unit or facility controller may controlthe lights or electrical systems of a facility. An individual may usethe website to issue commands to the individual power units in order toactivate or deactivate electrical systems, LED lights or LED lightfixtures, or to change the intensity or the color or the timing of theLED lights or LED light fixtures, to be on or off in a preset scheduleor on an as needed basis.

In at least one embodiment the website includes a user interface thatallows an individual to control the LED lights or LED light fixtures orto activate the light switches on the wall at specific desired locationsor to activate other building systems. In one embodiment a wire may berun to specific locations within a facility where the ends of the wireinclude sensors to sense the current status or setting of an LED light,LED light switch, or status of a building function such as a light,thermostat, door, elevator, lock, camera, speaker, microphone or anyother type of feature which may be sensed, manipulated or monitored. Thesensed status is displayed on the website for the facility. The facilitycontrol website may include a touchscreen to monitor and to manipulateswitches or to alter the status of a facility feature. The facilitycontrol website facilities the selection of one or more, or all, of thefeatures to control, and via the website, screens regulate the functionsof the facility through the website interface. In certain embodiments anindividual may control all lights simultaneously for both warm and coollight settings, or settings in between warm or cool, or an individualmay control the warm or cool settings individually through the use ofsliding features on a touchscreen, which may be used to change theintensity of the LED lights. The facility control unit may also includefeature program presets. The facility control unit may also includeimage and/or sound recordings and/or camera. In at least one embodimentthe control of the features and functions of a facility occur overcommunications transmitted as pulsed light communications from LEDfixtures and photodetectors. In at least one embodiment, the facilitycontrol unit includes facial recognition software, voice recognitionsoftware or other types of recognition software to name a few.

The status of a particular feature or function may be communicated tothe facility management unit or controller by pulsed light communicationsignals from LED's and controllers as integral to, or in communicationwith the features or functions under consideration. In alternativeembodiments the sensor may be integral with or in communication with thefeature or function under consideration and the feature or function mayinclude LED's, photodetectors and controllers in order to communicatethe sensed status of the feature or function directly to the facilitycontroller through the use of pulsed light communication signals, oralternatively through one or more intermediate pulsed lightcommunication locations or devices, without the use of wires integral tothe sensors.

In some embodiments the facility website and facility control unit orcontroller may communicate detailed status information and/or settingsfor all of the connected lights, features, and/or functions of systemswithin a facility.

In some embodiments the control page of the website enables anindividual to establish and to set up programs for control of featuresand/or functions or lights for an individual room, were specific lightsover a cubicle or other area are controlled remotely by the facilitywebsite and facility control unit or controller.

In at least one embodiment, information as related to electrical usagemay be measured, collected and/or calculated and stored in the memory ofthe facility control unit or controller. The facility control unit orcontroller may periodically communicate the measured, collected and/orcalculated electrical usage to a control server which may be remotelylocated relative to the facility. The control server may processelectrical usage and generate bills from a billing system.

An individual having the correct login, password and securityinformation may access the facility webpage interface from any remotelocation where internet access is available, in order to regulate orcontrol the functions or features of a facility. An individual maycontrol the lights or other functions or features with the presetsettings, or the individual may selectively set the lights, function, orfeature so long as the individual has an internet connection, which maybe provided by a dongle or key device including a photodetector andLED's for communication through pulsed light communication signals. Insome embodiments, access to the facility webpage interface may occurthrough the use of a desktop computing device, a transportable or laptopcomputing device, a cellular telephone device, a tablet computing deviceor any other communication device providing communication over theinternet.

In at least one embodiment the control server measures and/or calculatesthe photons of light used as illumination and as emitted in pulsed lightcommunications, or the control server measures and/or calculates thedata exchanged in association with the lumens generated through theprovision of illumination and pulsed light communications. Lumens,photons and/or data transmitted by the LED's in association with thegeneration of illumination and pulsed light communications may bemeasured and identified in units of measurement such as data lumen hoursor data lumen minutes.

In some embodiments a controller which may be a fixture controller isused in association with each individual LED light fixture and in otherembodiments one or more facility controllers are engaged to any numberof fixture controllers. Combinations of fixture controllers and facilitycontrollers may be utilized in any structure and variations ofconfigurations may be utilized dependent on installation requirementswithin existing structures, new construction, renovation, remolding,and/or upgrading of elderly structures.

In some embodiments it is anticipated that one or more LED light fixturecontrollers and facility controllers may be utilized in electricallyindependent environments such as facilities which have an independentelectrical source such as a wind turbine. In these situations the LEDfixture controllers and facility controllers may independentlycalculate, or may be in communication with a control server to calculatelumen consumption, data lumen hours, and/or data lumen minutes orcombinations thereof for billing directly to a data lumen hour consumer.

In one embodiment, light switches may be mounted in a wall and a wiremay be run to sense pins on the power unit controller, enablingactivation of a switch controlling the light panels. A touchscreenmonitor may be in communication with the power unit and website.

Logging onto the website may establish access to a multi-facilitymanagement unit control page. The website interface shows all of thepower units that are in a facility and all other light panels or otherfeatures of the facility or plurality of facilities. An individual mayselect which power units to control or an individual may select all ofthe power units for control. The website interface enables control ofall the light simultaneously both warm light and cool light.Alternatively, control of the warm light or cool light may occur atindividual light fixtures or other building features. Alternatively, anindividual may activate LED light features to change light intensities.

In some embodiments, the fixture controller or facility controller mayrecord how many watts of electricity are being used on each preset andthe electrical usage such as 158 watts to generate light. The fixture orfacility controller may provide a test mode which runs the lightsthrough stages, where the lights cycle through warm light and coollight, off and back on, to confirm functionality. The website controlinterface enables control of each individual light panel or LED lightemitting diode. The website may provide detail information for a powerunit to provide information regarding the settings and status for all 16of the possible connected light panels and usage of each light fixtureor LED light emitting diode.

The fixture or facility controller, website, and/or interface enable theselection or customization of programs for individual areas or rooms orindividual groups of lights or specific lights over a cubicle or otherlocation. All of the information related to wattage used may becollected on the power unit controller. A server may be set up at aremote location that will retrieve power/wattage usage information fromthe power unit controller, and enter the information into one or moreservers, where the information may be communicated to, and processed by,a billing system for generation of bills to users of the LED lightfixtures for consumption for illumination, pulsed light communications.

Each of the panel lights may have a unit controller and photodetectorwhich allows pulsed light communications with a client device. Theclient device, USB interface devices, may be attached to laptops orcomputers. The drivers for those devices may be installed on anelectronic device such as a tablet, smart phone, computer or otherelectronic device with or without the use of an application, or laptopor through an Ethernet connection.

The LED light panels may be connected to a power unit through anEthernet plug. The Pro FTM signals, called the data, may be communicatedover the same lines that are providing power prior to transmissionthrough pulsed light signals. Three modules may be provided which areused in decoding of information and/or communication signals. Decodingis occurring and overriding the power line radio wave signals, the OFTMsignals, and is communicated back into an Ethernet standard computerformat, which then is communicated through LED pulsed lightcommunication signals.

A computer located at a remote location may receive/record the datagenerated in association with the regulation and use of the lightpanels. The computer may process any number of different transactions.Any data may be retrieved for generation through the website interfacefor transmission over a power line or through pulsed LED lightcommunication signals via the LED/s or the USB device. LED pulsed lightcommunication signals may also be transmitted out of the USB device forreceipt by the Charlie unit integral to an LED light fixture fortransmission to the facility controller and website. It should be notedthat a control server may simultaneously receive and process data fromany number of websites representative of any number of facilities orgeographic areas each having any desired number of fixture controllersand/or LED lights or LED light fixtures.

In some embodiments, all of the usage information as far as the wattageused may be collected on the power unit controller.

In some embodiments, modules on the LED light fixture decode pulsedlight communications information. In some embodiments, the LED lightfixture receives OFTM signals and converts the signals into an Ethernetstandard computer format which then may be injected down into a facilitycontroller.

In some embodiments, the facility controller is in communication with,and transfers information and data to a control server which may be amainframe computer which may be located at a remote location. One ormore facility controllers may be utilized to access account specificinformation on site or to control communications, illumination or otherfunctions within a facility.

In some embodiments, information may be retrieved at a facilitycontroller such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, generalledger, and/or expenses for a desired period of time. In someembodiments, an accounting system may be run remotely and may becommunicated through the LED pulsed light communications. In someembodiments, a room may include any number of LED light fixtures. EachLED light fixture may be operating the same, or have a different settingresulting in different operation. In at least one embodiment, the datalumen hours or minutes for each LED light fixture may be recorded orregulated independently with respect to any other LED light fixture. Acomposite amount of data lumen hours or minutes may be calculated fromthe independent LED light fixtures and communicated to a facilitycontroller or a control server.

In at least one embodiment, two physical servers are provided asfacility control servers or mainframe servers which are configured to beIdentical for redundancy. In some embodiments, VHM (Virtual HostMachines) A and B are duplicate physical servers at a facility or remotelocation. Each VHM server has the VMware operating system, allowing fornumerous VPS (Virtual Private Server) to reside on each VHM server. TheVPSs on VHM-A are exactly duplicated on VHM-8 for redundancy.

In some embodiments, a VPS may use a CentOS operating system and runApache Web services. The VPS may also include a database (currentlyMySQL). In some embodiments, the VPS is used for the web site thatprovides remote control of VLEC light systems.

In some embodiments, the VPS monitors the VLEC light systems.

In some embodiments, the VPS may be copied for use as a FMU or FacilityManagement Unit which may be used to monitor and to control a facility.

In some embodiments, a power unit is used in association with a facilitycontrol unit. Each Power Unit may support 16 light fixtures. Power Unitsmay be daisy-chained together. Each power unit may also accommodate hardwired wall switches, or touch panels for direct control of fixtures(FIG. 23).

In some embodiments, a Power Unit Controller (PUC) is located at ademarcation site, usually the datacenter of the facility, where aninternet connection is available. If there will be more chains of PowerUnits connecting to the PUC than there are Ethernet ports available,then a switch may be placed between the PUC and the Power Units. The PUCcontrols DHCP functions for communications. It also controls andmonitors the light fixtures by SNMP communication with the Power Units.The PUC accumulates usage data from the Power Units, which isperiodically retrieved by the Monitoring Servers. The PUC contains a webserver, with a web site for controlling and programming the VLEC lightfixtures. This control web site will be available from any device thatcan display web pages {i.e. phones, tablets, computers, etc.}, providedthe proper authorization is set up for a device or user. Currentavailable network security and authorization techniques can be used toensure access is limited appropriately.

The Monitoring Servers may be databases that accumulate usage statisticsfor all the PUCs, Power Units, and VLEC light fixtures. The monitoringservices have an interface that allows operators to check the historyand status of Infrastructural Apparatus. The monitoring servers may beconfigured to initiate alarms when there are issues with any hardware inthe field, and/or network connectivity to that hardware. In someembodiments, the provider of the VLEC system is made aware of a problemimmediately when it occurs, possibly even before the customer is aware.The monitoring servers will also perform the necessary calculations onthe accumulated data to provide the appropriate billing information tothe Billing System.

Enclosed herewith and incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties are the following U.S. Pat. Nos. and patent application Ser.Nos.: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,879,263; 7,046,160; 7,439,847; 7,902,978;8,188,861; 8,188,878; 8,188,879; 8,330,599; 8,331,790; 8,543,505;8,571,411; 8,593,299; Ser. Nos. 11/433,979; 12/032,908; 12/126,227;12/126,342; 12/126,469; 12/126,647; 12/750,796; 13/427,358; 13/479,556;13/706,864; 13/972,294; 14/033,014; 14/050,759; 14/050,765; 61/778,672;61/783,501; 61/819,861; 61/867,731; 61/927,638; and 61/927,663.

This application is also related to the patent application entitled“Method of Measuring and Provision of Lumens,” U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/207,934 filed Mar. 13, 2014 which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. The present application is alsorelated to the patent application entitled “LED Light Fixture,” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/207,955 filed Mar. 13, 2014, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,100,124 on aug. 4, 2015, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. Also the present application isrelated to the patent application entitled “Pulsed Light CommunicationKey,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/208,090 filed Mar. 13, 2014which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individualfigures and described above may be combined or modified for combinationas desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising”means “including, but not limited to”.

I claim:
 1. An assembly and system comprising: a. a plurality of lightemitting diode light fixtures disposed throughout a facility, each ofsaid light emitting diode light fixtures comprising a plurality of lightemitting diodes and a unique light emitting diode light fixtureidentifier, said plurality of light emitting diodes generatingillumination, said illumination comprising a plurality of flashes ofillumination, said flashes of illumination not being observable to theunaided eyes of an individual; b. a processor in communication with theat least one light emitting diode light fixture and said plurality oflight emitting diodes, the processor being constructed and arranged toregulate said plurality of flashes of illumination into at least onepulsed light communication signal, said at least one pulsed lightcommunication signal comprising said unique light emitting diode lightfixture identifier; c. at least one power unit constructed and arrangedto provide power to said plurality of light emitting diode lightfixtures; and d. a control unit in communication with the pluralitylight emitting diode light fixtures, said control unit comprising aunique control unit identifier, said control unit being constructed andarranged to communicate at least one communication signal to saidprocessor, said at least one communication signal comprising said uniquelight emitting diode light fixture identifier or said unique controlunit identifier, said control unit further comprising a website, whereinsaid website permits an individual to control at least one of said lightemitting diode light fixtures and to monitor energy being provided to atleast one of said light emitting diode light fixtures, and furtherwherein said website functions as an interface to enable an individualto issue commands to at least one of said plurality of power units tochange an amount of electricity provided to at least one of saidplurality of light emitting diodes, or light emitting diode lightfixtures.
 2. The assembly and system according to claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of sensors and switches in communication with atleast one of said plurality of light emitting diode light fixtures, saidsensors being constructed and arranged to sense the status of saidplurality of light emitting diodes or said plurality of light emittingdiode light fixtures, and to communicate said sensed status to saidwebsite for display on a display, said website further comprising atouchscreen said touchscreen being constructed and arranged tomanipulate switches or to alter the status of at least one of said lightemitting diodes or said light emitting diode light fixtures.
 3. Theassembly and system according to claim 1, said at least one power unitcomprising a unique power unit identifier.
 4. The assembly and systemaccording to claim 3, said plurality of light emitting diode lightfixtures being constructed and arranged to assign said unique lightemitting diode light fixture identifier to a data packet.
 5. Theassembly and system according to claim 4, said control unit beingconstructed and arranged to assign said unique control unit identifierto said data packet.
 6. The assembly and system according to claim 5,said power unit being constructed and arranged to assign said uniquepower unit identifier to said data packet.
 7. The assembly and systemaccording to claim 6, each unique power unit identifier comprisingglobal positioning system routing information.
 8. The assembly andsystem according to claim 5, said unique control unit identifiercomprising global positioning system routing information.
 9. Theassembly and system according to claim 8, said control unit comprising atime assignment system, said time assignment system being constructedand arranged to assign at least one time to said data packet.
 10. Theassembly and system according to claim 9, said control unit comprisingat least one data packet security system, said at least one data packetsecurity system being constructed and arranged to verify said uniquecontrol unit identifier and said assigned time for said data packet. 11.The assembly and system according to claim 4, each unique light emittingdiode light fixture identifier comprising global positioning systemrouting information.
 12. The assembly and system according to claim 11,each of said plurality of light emitting diode light fixtures comprisinga time assignment system, said time assignment system being constructedand arranged to assign at least one time to said data packet.
 13. Theassembly and system according to claim 12, each of said plurality oflight emitting diode light fixtures comprising at least one data packetsecurity system, said at least one data packet security system beingconstructed and arranged to verify said unique light emitting diodelight fixture identifier and said assigned time for said data packet.14. An assembly and system comprising: a. a plurality of light emittingdiode light fixtures disposed throughout a facility, each of said lightemitting diode light fixtures comprising a plurality of light emittingdiodes, each of said plurality of light emitting diode light fixturesfurther comprising a processor and a photodetector, said processor beingin communication with said plurality of light emitting diodes, saidplurality of light emitting diodes generating illumination, saidillumination comprising a plurality of flashes of illumination, saidflashes of illumination not being observable to the unaided eyes of anindividual, said processor being constructed and arranged to regulatesaid plurality of flashes of illumination into at least one pulsed lightcommunication signal; b. a plurality of system control elements disposedthroughout a structure each of said system control elements being incommunication with a facility system, each of said system controlelements comprising at least one light emitting diode and at least onephotodetector, said at least one photodetector being constructed andarranged to receive said at least one pulsed light communication signal,said at least one pulsed light communication signal comprising at leastone embedded pulsed light system control communication; c. at least onepower unit constructed and arranged to provide power to said pluralityof light emitting diode light fixtures and said plurality of systemcontrol elements; and d. a control unit in communication with theplurality light emitting diode light fixtures, said control unitcomprising a processor and a website wherein said website permits anindividual to alter the status of at least one of said system controlelements.